The U.S. Food Pyramid may have gone the way of the dodo (in favor of the MyPlate option) but plenty of countries around the world are still actively using theirs to promote healthy eating guidelines for the public. A few countries do use an actual pyramid shape, similar to the American template but with a few bells and whistles added to reflect local food tastes. Other countries have thrown it out for something completely new and more reflective of the local culture.
China, for example, has a food pagoda (no, it's not simply the regular food pyramid in a pagoda shape) that focuses on a varied diet but promotes legumes, soy, and sweet potato. Though the general sentiment may be the same as the old U.S. Food Pyramid, the pagoda is more culturally specific.
Germany, on the other hand, also uses a food pyramid... but they wanted to show off their technical skills with it too. They're using a 3D pyramid as an intricate digital creation with each side of the pyramid representing a food group, which is then broken down further into portion sizes for specific foods.
Regardless of what food pyramid your country uses, it's clear that the outline for what's healthy to eat and what isn't is similar everywhere... grains, fruits, and vegetables are good, alcohol, soda, and processed food is bad. But many food pyramids tailor that breakdown to fit the eating habits of that specific region and culture, the food available to that population, and how much or little guidance the government feels people need in order to eat healthily.
Read on to see what kinds of food pyramids people are using as a dietary guideline around the world.
Food Pyramids Around the World
-- Serusha Govender, The Daily Meal
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