This was kind of Interesting...

LadyZoe

I was looking around online and found an article on About.com (http://walking.about.com/cs/walkoflife/a/dietportions.htm ) on balanced reduced-calorie diets...

Here's most of the article...

"Balanced reduced-calorie diets

The Pyramid Diet
This is the diet developed by the USDA to satisfy the nutritional requirements of most Americans.

0-3 servings (use sparingly) fats, oils, sweets
2-3 servings (6 - 9 ounces) meat/protein
2-3 servings dairy
2-4 servings fruit
3-5 servings vegetables
6-11 servings bread/starch

In order to lose weight, you must take in fewer calories than you burn off each day. According to the USDA pamphlet, a sedentary woman and older people may only expend 1600 calories per day, while active men and very active women may burn 2800 calories per day - twice as much.If your goal is to lose weight and you do not see changes just with increased physical activity, then reducing portions and servings may help, while still using the pyramid as a guide.

(Examples)

1200 Calorie Diet
6 oz. lean meat/protein
5 servings bread/starch
3 servings fruit
4 or more servings vegetables
2 servings dairy (low fat preferred)
3 servings fat

1500 Calorie Diet
6 oz. lean meat/protein
6 servings bread/starch
4 servings fruit
5 or more servings vegetables
2 servings dairy (low fat preferred)
3 servings fat "

LadyZoe

I was looking around online and found an article on About.com (http://walking.about.com/cs/walkoflife/a/dietportions.htm ) on balanced reduced-calorie diets...

Here's most of the article...

"Balanced reduced-calorie diets

The Pyramid Diet
This is the diet developed by the USDA to satisfy the nutritional requirements of most Americans.

0-3 servings (use sparingly) fats, oils, sweets
2-3 servings (6 - 9 ounces) meat/protein
2-3 servings dairy
2-4 servings fruit
3-5 servings vegetables
6-11 servings bread/starch

In order to lose weight, you must take in fewer calories than you burn off each day. According to the USDA pamphlet, a sedentary woman and older people may only expend 1600 calories per day, while active men and very active women may burn 2800 calories per day - twice as much.If your goal is to lose weight and you do not see changes just with increased physical activity, then reducing portions and servings may help, while still using the pyramid as a guide.

(Examples)

1200 Calorie Diet
6 oz. lean meat/protein
5 servings bread/starch
3 servings fruit
4 or more servings vegetables
2 servings dairy (low fat preferred)
3 servings fat

1500 Calorie Diet
6 oz. lean meat/protein
6 servings bread/starch
4 servings fruit
5 or more servings vegetables
2 servings dairy (low fat preferred)
3 servings fat "

NWCountryGal

I found this by way of "search" as I am starting to look at just how many servings of each food group I need per day, approximately:) I just bought Vegatable Juice(Great Value from Walmart) to fill in where i lack getting enough vegies. Also, smoothees are helping me fill in the fruit needs. I was surprised to see how many servings of breads we need? That is the highest "need" according to this(USDA report)

I would love to read more on this:) Thank you much for posting it, denise:)

I was looking around online and found an article on About.com (http://walking.about.com/cs/walkoflife/a/dietportions.htm ) on balanced reduced-calorie diets...

Here's most of the article...

"Balanced reduced-calorie diets

The Pyramid Diet
This is the diet developed by the USDA to satisfy the nutritional requirements of most Americans.

0-3 servings (use sparingly) fats, oils, sweets
2-3 servings (6 - 9 ounces) meat/protein
2-3 servings dairy
2-4 servings fruit
3-5 servings vegetables
6-11 servings bread/starch

In order to lose weight, you must take in fewer calories than you burn off each day. According to the USDA pamphlet, a sedentary woman and older people may only expend 1600 calories per day, while active men and very active women may burn 2800 calories per day - twice as much.If your goal is to lose weight and you do not see changes just with increased physical activity, then reducing portions and servings may help, while still using the pyramid as a guide.

(Examples)

1200 Calorie Diet
6 oz. lean meat/protein
5 servings bread/starch
3 servings fruit
4 or more servings vegetables
2 servings dairy (low fat preferred)
3 servings fat

1500 Calorie Diet
6 oz. lean meat/protein
6 servings bread/starch
4 servings fruit
5 or more servings vegetables
2 servings dairy (low fat preferred)
3 servings fat "

NWCountryGal

What I've learned on this site, and also, now experienced for myself, is that I need to eat the calories I've burned to lose weight so I would disagree with the USDA on that. Unless I am misunderstanding what was written here which is entirely possible:bigsmile: :laugh:

I was looking around online and found an article on About.com (http://walking.about.com/cs/walkoflife/a/dietportions.htm ) on balanced reduced-calorie diets...

Here's most of the article...

"Balanced reduced-calorie diets

The Pyramid Diet
This is the diet developed by the USDA to satisfy the nutritional requirements of most Americans.

0-3 servings (use sparingly) fats, oils, sweets
2-3 servings (6 - 9 ounces) meat/protein
2-3 servings dairy
2-4 servings fruit
3-5 servings vegetables
6-11 servings bread/starch

In order to lose weight, you must take in fewer calories than you burn off each day. According to the USDA pamphlet, a sedentary woman and older people may only expend 1600 calories per day, while active men and very active women may burn 2800 calories per day - twice as much.If your goal is to lose weight and you do not see changes just with increased physical activity, then reducing portions and servings may help, while still using the pyramid as a guide.

(Examples)

1200 Calorie Diet
6 oz. lean meat/protein
5 servings bread/starch
3 servings fruit
4 or more servings vegetables
2 servings dairy (low fat preferred)
3 servings fat

1500 Calorie Diet
6 oz. lean meat/protein
6 servings bread/starch
4 servings fruit
5 or more servings vegetables
2 servings dairy (low fat preferred)
3 servings fat "