The revolution begins when you open your mouth...

We've all seen the food pyramid at some point. I remember seeing it as early as elementary school and being told to eat mostly starches in my diet. It was part of the curriculum for public school children nationwide at some point - eat meals based on the servings suggested on "the pyramid."

What I didn't know as a little one was that the the guidelines formed the basis for the school lunch program and other federal nutrition programs impacting hospitals, nursing homes, the military and everyday consumers; and the $500 billion food industry is vitally concerned with how that chart looks.

With society's growing knowledge of personal health and well-being and the shift toward "eating to live," in 2005 the USDA made changes and MyPyramid was born. In a departure from the food guide pyramid, no foods are pictured on the MyPyramid logo itself. Instead, colored vertical bands represent different food groups. Additionally, the logo emphasizes physical activity by showing a person climbing steps. The food guide pyramid gave recommendations measured in "serving sizes," which some people found confusing. MyPyramid gives its recommendations in cups, ounces, and other measures. The food guide pyramid gave a single set of specific recommendations for all people. In contrast, MyPyramid has 12 sets of possible recommendations.

This had food industry folk in a frenzy. The slightest change in the recommendations can mean enormous increases in sales or calamitous drops in profits. The Dairy Council lobbies for an increase in the daily recommendations for dairy products while the American Millers’ Association and the U.S. Potato Board defend their economic interests against the low-carbohydrate craze. Similarly, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Chocolate Manufacturer’s Association, the Snack Food Association, the California Walnut Board, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, and many more are burn the midnight oil, shake some hands, and sign sweetheart deals to insure their place in the food industry's version of The Wire.

Unsurprisingly, the recommended intake of 5 or more cups daily of fruits and vegetables is more than double the World Health Organization recommendation of 400g (about 0.9 lb.) and considerably greater than the UK's National Health Service recommendations.

Interestingly, Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, one of the world’s leading nutrition scientists and his colleagues designed their own pyramid. Based entirely on the scientific evidence, Harvard’s health pyramid It also recommends the regular consumption of alcohol (beer, wine, or spirits) for all adults unless there is good reason for them not to drink. (Ha!) The Healthy Eating Pyramid places exercise at the foundation, with a multi-vitamin and "white" foods included in its dietary shuffle.

So... there's the Vegan Food Pyramid, the Vegetarian Food Pyramid, Cultural/Ethnic Food Guide Pyramids, and on and on.

As an Architect of Rebellion in the Hood, I'd say get brain food, get spiritual food, drink water, pray over your meal (making sure to thank all the hands who made it possible for you to eat and requesting your cells and systems be still to insure the highest level of nutritional intake), eat that which gives you long lasting energy and was prepared with care and love for YOU, get your Qi (Ch'i) up, spend time with the kids, and identify your purpose.

And definitely, definitely - REBEL!

What I've got to say is "REBEL!"

Ahhh, but what do I know?!