The FDA's food pyramid has helped people from all walks of life decide what to eat every day. Now, however, there is a new walk of life, or I should say unlife, that will benefit from the pyramid. The Zombie food pyramid sets new guidelines for the undead in their insatiable pursuit of sustenance.

There's only one problem with it: Zombies like brains the most, so why is it the base group? Live humans have to consume fats and sugars sparingly. I think the FDA got it wrong when they put the food that zombies crave as the one they can eat the most. That's like saying you can eat 6-11 servings of ice cream a day!

I'm going to start a letter writing campaign to the FDA telling them they're wrong (like they don't get any of those). One of the pyramids needs to be changed. Either I get to eat 6-11 servings of sugar/fat a day or zombies need to gnaw sparingly on brains. I don't know how many zombies are out there, but I'm hoping for the ice cream so they get to keep the brains. Mmmmmm brains.

[via geekstir]

We all know that the Food Pyramid under went a makeover a few years ago, both in cosmetics to make it easier to understand, as well as content for updates to health and nutrition needs. However, a specially targeted Food Pyramid for older adults hasn't gotten an update in 10 years -- until now.

The new pyramid takes into account two things. With the assumption that older people are less web-savvy, the new pyramid, made available online, has more graphics and is easier to understand. We will make no comment about the "dumbing down" of web tools for older people.

The slightly more useful change is in the content of the pyramid itself. Older adults need to get enough fiber, calcium and vitamins D and B-12 via nutrient-rich fare, like fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and high-fiber whole grains. The pyramid also emphasizes the importance of regular exercise and adequate fluid intake.

This week marked the one year anniversary of the MyPyramid website, based on the USDA's "new" food pyramid. The site has been one of the most popular government website with 1.7 billion hits in its first year.

We're all now familiar with the pyramid itself, which has moved away from the idea that one nutrition standard plan fits everyone and to the notion that individuals require their own specialized dietary and healthy eating needs. The website is an interactive site that allows individuals to track and analyze their eating habits and physical activity, and offers guidance based on the President's Healthier US Initiative and current nutrition research.

2005 has been a banner year for both nutrition awareness and dieting, from carb to calorie counting. New diets and trends are springing to life before our very eyes, but USA Today put together their top five trends in nutrition and diet from the past year

1. Atkins bankruptcy. Dieters moved away from the strict carb counting regimen prescribed by Atkins Nutritionals, opting for more moderate plans, like the South Beach Diet.
2. Non-diet dieting. Eat less to avoid weight gain was the strategy presented to American women by Mireille Guiliano, a very thin French woman who advocated eating for pleasure. In small amounts, of course.
3. A new food pyramid. The USDA's revamped guidelines emphasize making healthier choices in each food group, encouraging people to choose leaner meats, whole grains and low-fat dairy in addition to a variety of fruits and veggies.
4. Attention to kids. Some companies pledged to stop directing marketing at kids, like Kraft Foods, Inc., while other companies were pressured promote healthy options instead of junk foods.
5. Obesity. Can the extra pounds kill you? Scientists seem to think not, though there are many health problems caused and/or exacerbated by obesity, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease, any of which can contribute to a decrease in life expectancy.