After some trial and error, the ancient Egyptians settled on a pyramid for their pharaohs' tombs, because it's one of the most stable shapes. That may not be case with the U.S. government's food guide pyramid, which appears to be eroding under the criticism of nutritionists and health experts who say it encourages obesity and even heart disease.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the food pyramid in 1991 to replace the "four basic food groups" concept, which simplified dietary needs. Foods to be eaten sparingly, like fatty foods, are positioned at the peak of the pyramid, while breads, grains and other high-carbohydrate foods make up the base, which is meant to encourage people to eat them the most.

Critics of the pyramid, however, say that the recommendations ignore the differences between various fats. Health studies show, for example, that mono-unsaturated fats like olive oil lower the risk for heart disease. More important, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says that the pyramid ignores the "glycemic index" of carbohydrates, which describes how quickly foods raise blood sugar after a meal. The glycemic index has broad health implications.

Foods with a low glycemic index, like whole grains, may help to control or even prevent adult-onset diabetes, as a previous HealthScout story describes. Another HealthScout report adds that snacking on starchy foods contributes to obesity because hunger returns faster after you eat simple carbohydrates.

Dissatisfaction with the USDA's pyramid has prompted several private nutrition groups to issue their own versions. "The USDA has a couple of jobs, and one is to promote the interests of the food and dairy industry. There are some conflicts of interest there," says Dr. Donald Hensrud, a nutrition expert at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., who has devised his own weight-loss and management triangle.

Indeed, a whole range of ethnic food pyramids tout healthful traditional eating habits. A feature from the New York Daily News says that ethnic food pyramids for traditional Mediterranean, Asian and vegetarian diets provide alternatives to the USDA version. Even an Irish food pyramid exists. (Sorry, it doesn't include Guinness.) Oldways Preservation & Exchange Trust describes several of these ethnic food pyramids.

Food Pyramid

The ancient Egyptians built the pyramids from the bottom up. Today, the U.S. government recommends that modern Americans apply that same principle to their eating habits. The Department of Agriculture's "Food Pyramid" lays out the U.S. Dietary Guidelines in graphic form. You and your child should eat more servings of foods listed at the base of the pyramid -- breads, cereals, fruits and vegetables -- and fewer servings of high-fat foods listed at the top. The focus of the Food Pyramid is on the prevention of disease. The guidelines are based on the latest scientific research from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association. Scientific studies show that good nutritional habits can lower the risk of heart disease and some cancers. Here are some ideas on how to build the pyramid principle in your child's everyday life:

Breakfast:
Don't skip breakfast! It's your child's most important meal of the day. After fasting all night, your child's body needs the energy to stay alert all morning. Hungry, irritable children are not at their best. Try these tips: Instead of high-fat eggs, bacon, and doughnuts, offer cereal, low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, or a bagel with a low-fat spread. Always try to include a piece of fruit.

If your child doesn't like traditional breakfast foods or is bored with them, try leftover spaghetti, chicken, pizza, or low-fat peanut butter toast. Or, try a shake of low-fat milk, fruit, and ice.

Lunch:
If you do not provide your child with lunch, be sure the school or day care offers healthful choices. If you're fixing lunch:
Make sandwiches fun to eat by using cookie cutters to create playful shapes. Top a sandwich with a crunchy vegetable, such as sliced cucumbers or grated carrots. Choose lower-fat lunch meats, such as turkey breast, ham, or roast beef.

Snacks:
Snacking can help your child meet his or her daily requirements for nutrients and energy. Treat this as a regular mealtime. Schedule it and require your child to sit down and eat at the table. Try these ideas:
Raisins or other dried fruit
Low-fat crackers, pretzels, or popcorn
Fresh fruit or vegetables, canned fruit packed in water
Unsweetened cereal, bagels
Low-calorie puddings

Dinner:
With today's busy schedules, it's often hard to plan for dinner. Try planning while you're at the grocery store. Stock up on fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, whole-grain breads, and lean meats to have on hand for quick meal preparation. Serving size is an important concept to understand. Don't overwhelm the plate with food, or you'll overwhelm your little eater. It's better to dish out too little and encourage the child to ask for more. Make adjustments for smaller stomachs: Serve one measuring tablespoon for each year of the child's age, or about one-fourth to one-third an adult portion. Be sure your child gets enough fiber in his or her diet; experts recommend that children older than age 2 consume their "age plus 5" in grams of fiber each day. The best way to meet this need is to offer more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, wheat and whole-bran cereals, rice, popcorn, and whole-wheat bread.