Australian nonprofit Nutrition Australia is advising citizens about the harms of unhealthy eating, which has left the island country with one of the highest obesity rates in the world. The campaign centers on a modern day food pyramid, which is based on the country’s most recent nutritional guidelines. And guess what? It’s a whole lot more innovative than the American equivalent currently being used by the U.S. government.
Unlike MyPlate, which the United States Department of Agriculture adopted in 2011, the clever new pyramid not only divides and ranks food categories, but also illustrates actual foods that people encounter at the grocery store.
Plant-based foods, which are listed at the bottom, and therefore meant to be consumed the most often, are represented by over 30 different foods, including peas, lentils and bok choy. Grains, listed just above, include couscous and quinoa. Dairy, which is next in line, includes alternatives like soy milk. And proteins, which are level with dairy, are depicted with a prominent bag of tofu. At the very top, there are healthy fats, illustrated with a bottle of olive oil.
Now, compare that with the U.S. visual guideline, which is a plate, divided into different-sized categories: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy.