The New Food Pyramid: It's All About You!

Hosted by teens, this program incorporating the U.S. Department of Agriculture's revised 2005 food pyramid is aimed at viewers in grades 4-8. Adding regular exercise (the latest pyramid features a person walking up stairs to symbolize the importance of daily fitness activities), The New Food Pyramid presents an overview of the six food groups (grains, veggies, fruits, fats and oils, milk products, and meat, fish and beans), suggesting servings and portion sizes (with conversions: i.e., one bag of microwave popcorn equals 4 oz. of grains); looks at the pros and cons of varieties within the groups (such as whole grains vs. refined), while also suggesting alternatives (including soy and tofu); and provides information about processed, frozen, and fast foods. Finishing up with two weak segments following “real kids” who get help correcting their diets—an athlete who skips meals and a junk food junkie—the program offers helpful support overall for youngsters willing to adjust (or completely overhaul) their eating habits. A companion volume, What's to Eat? Food Pyramid Game Show, is also newly available. Recommended. Aud: E, I, J. (J. Williams-Wood)