How would you categorize vegetables and put them into a "food pyramid"?!
I know people say "eat a varied diet", but this is just too overwhelming to me. I need more structure... more of a guideline.
Answers: Example would be; there are green leafy, root, fleshy, etc. of these, which should we eat the most of? Is there anything "official" written about this?
I know people say "eat a varied diet", but this is just too overwhelming to me. I need more structure... more of a guideline.
My wife is a dietitian and she says the simplest way is to eat things that have different colors. Eat vegetables and fruits that are red, yellow, green, orange, purple, etc. Not at every meal, but try not to eat the same fruits and vegetables every day. It's a pretty good way to get different nutrients because different colors in fruits and vegetables usually indicates different vitamins and nutrients. Also, eat grains like rice, wheat, corn, etc., and high protein food like beans and nuts, and you should do fine.
categorize by shape,color,angles,your fav.
I follow the second poster's line of thought. I try to consume lots of colors every day, from my veggies. And i also listen to my body. If I open the fridge and teh Bok Choy is looking particularly pleasing, we have that. If I feel like having beans, we have that. And as I love "variety" (ie, you can eat it and not go "Awwe man, this AGAIN") I usually just eat whatever appeals to me, and find myself eating lots of different things "on accident".
I really can't quantify it any more than that. Try to have 2 different veggies at lunch, and 2 more different veggies at dinner... Have rice and beans one night, have lightly fried potatoes and Tofu Burgers the next night... try a vegan stew with rice, barley, beans, veggies, "veggie crumbles"...
Just feel it out, try whatever looks appealing, and try lots of different veggies. You can't structure nutrition, you have to go off of what you feel your body needs. I don't know, you might need more iron than I do. You might need more roughage... as you eat more veggies and explore the possibilities your body will eventually "choose" them for you. And then there will be no guesswork.
Download the US Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It explains all the different subcategories of each food group.