Seriously, when was the last time you pulled up the food pyramid to make decisions about what you were going to eat.

Not that it’s not embedded in your psyche somewhere, creating pressure and influence.

Most of us have been eating how we want to, how we believe is right, or according to some fad plan from a podcast or found on social media. Agricultural empires know that. Food producing-corporations know that. Advertisers know that. Money-makers and scammers know that. And so does the Enemy of your spirit, soul, and body.

People are already hailing the new pyramid as promoting “real food.” The old pyramid did pretty much the same thing, just with different emphasis. Did people follow the old one? Will they follow the new one?

I have several predictions concerning the new pyramid. My first prediction is that those who sorely wanted permission will take license to consume higher amounts of meat, slather on the butter, and eat foods swimming in cheese. Just last night my husband was watching OAN for a couple of hours, and there must have been 8-10 ads for Kraft American cheese. That’s not even real cheese! But the Dairy Council doesn’t care about that, and many nutritionally uneducated Americans won’t either.

My next prediction is that consuming insufficient soluble and insoluble fiber (found in whole grains, legumes, veggies, nuts, seeds) will become more of a health problem.

A third prediction is that many will suffer from diets that are too high in fat again, even if it is so-called “healthy fats” (there is much debate among nutrition authorities on what constitutes healthy fat). One expert promotes literally drinking olive oil. Others are touting beef tallow (why not make money off of agricultural waste?) and butter. While quality of food matters, calories matter too. Fat has over twice as many calories as carbohydrate and protein. That means fat calories add up quickly. The key is always going to be moderation, balance, and self-monitoring.

Lastly, I predict obesity will continue to be a problem. Look, plaque is being found in the arteries of 3-year-olds, before they even get to school lunches.

It was never about the pyramid. It’s about supply and demand, habits, busyness, lack of physical activity, the lust of the flesh, and Satan who wants to take our lives by any means possible.

For most people who struggle with diet, weight, and diet-related health maladies, the biggest problem isn’t anything on the pyramid. The biggest problem is processed junk and fake food. These products don’t feature heavily on either pyramid.

Where processed junk and fake foods did and do feature heavily is at the fast-food restaurants, convenience marts, the grocery stores, and possibly in your kitchen. As long as there is a high demand for these products, the manufacturers are going to keep producing them – pyramid or no pyramid. Because the government may be able to outlaw some of the most harmful ingredients, but it will never be able (and shouldn’t be able) to police eating. It’s up to us to police ourselves.

THE PROBLEM OF SIN

Packaged, processed, and ready-to-eat foods are so popular because they’re convenient, fast, and often taste very good – even leading some to addiction they cannot control. The Bible says we are to eat and drink to God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) but adds this about the old sinful nature: “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 6:41)

Strong warnings are issued to those who eat carelessly and indulgently:

Don’t go and stuff yourself! That would be just the same as cutting your throat. (Proverbs 23:2 Contemporary Version)

Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is their shame. (Philippians 3:18-19)

We can and will face consequences if we don’t eat according to wisdom:

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:8)

But the situation is not hopeless, for God has provided a way of escape from every wicked temptation, habit, and addiction:

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

How do you walk in the Spirit? Well, put simply, take up your cross and follow Jesus. For details, that is for another article or you can read about it in your Bible!

If I could, I would put the items in the food pyramid (minus some and plus some) in a circle instead of a triangle. With all the allergies, food sensitivities cultural norms, preferences, and different bodies with different needs, we all should take basic guidelines and figure out what works best for our own bodies:

  • Eat mostly whole foods and dishes made with whole foods.
  • Prepare food from scratch as often as possible.
  • Avoid processed foods.
  • Abstain from fake food, additives, and artificial ingredients.
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Stay active.
  • Don’t skimp on sleep and relaxation.
  • Honor God with your body by learning to walk in the Spirit.

This requires knowledge, wisdom, and effort.

Happy eating in 2026!