Oldways Unveils African Heritage Pyramid

BOSTONOldways announced the release of its African Heritage Diet Pyramid, an adapted version of the food pyramid to help embrace healthy eating to combat diabetes, heart disease and obesity that disproportionately affect Black Americans.

The cultural food pyramid is based the traditional diets of the African DiasporaAfrica, the Caribbean, South America and the American Souththat can all be accommodated by eating within the guidelines.

The African Heritage Diet emphasizes consumption of whole, fresh plant foods like colorful fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens; tubers like yams and sweet potatoes; beans of all kinds; nuts and peanuts; rice, flatbreads and other grain foods, especially whole grains; healthy oils; homemade sauces and marinades of herbs and spices; fish, eggs, poultry and yogurt; and minimal consumption of meats and sweets.

We are introducing The African Heritage Diet Pyramid because the traditional diets of the African Diaspora offer a powerful, affordable, healthy eating model and meet the guidelines promoted today by health professionals everywhere," said Oldways President Sara Baer-Sinnott. Scientific studies show that many chronic conditions now prevalent in African American communities, appear in populations as traditional diets are left behind."