ND's Caloric Ratio Pyramid™

The Caloric Ratio Pyramid appears in every ND analysis, and also on ND's Total Consumption report. This symbol lets you see at a glance how the Calories in the food are distributed, and can help you determine if the food aligns with common macronutrient-based diet plans, such as low-carb (e.g Atkins™ or South Beach™), low-fat, high-protein, or Zone™.

The three numbers at the bottom of this symbol indicate the percentage of the food’s Calories that are derived from the three main macronutrients – carbohydrates, fats, and protein. If the food contains alcohol, a fourth number will appear that indicates the percentage of Calories derived from alcohol.

More About the Caloric Ratio Pyramid
The main portion of the Caloric Ratio Pyramid is a color-coded triaxial graph, with a position marker that simultaneously indicates the percentages of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. As can be seen in the detail view below, the top point of this pyramid indicates a food with 100% of its Calories derived from fats (and 0% from carbohydrates and protein). As you move downward on the pyramid, the percentage of Calories from fats decreases; the very bottom line of the pyramid indicates a food that is completely fat-free. In a similar manner, the left most corner of the pyramid is 100% carbohydrate, and the right most corner is 100% protein. Thus, each position within this special graph indicates a different caloric ratio.

Is ND’s Caloric Ratio Pyramid the same as the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid?
No, but there is one similarity. Fats (like butter and oils) occupy positions at the top of both of these pyramids, and most grains and cereals occupy positions near the base of both pyramids. If you believe in following the traditional low-fat diet that many nutritionists recommend, then the suggested advice regarding these two pyramids is the same: try to consume more foods near the base of the pyramid and limit your consumption of foods near the top.

The difference between these two pyramids is that the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid divides foods into distinct classes (fruits, vegetables, meats, milk, etc.), while ND’s Caloric Ratio Pyramid looks directly at the nutrients within the food.

 

Why do we need another pyramid?
One of the primary problems with the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid is that some very dissimilar foods get grouped together. For example, high-fat packaged lunch meats are put in the same group as low-fat skinless chicken breasts. Also in this same group are nuts, which have nutritional benefits, but differ from meats in that they provide an incomplete source of protein.

Another problem with the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid is that it can be difficult to use with many of the complex prepared foods that we typically consume. For example, exactly where on the Food Guide Pyramid do you place a serving of tuna casserole (consisting of a mix of fish, vegetables, pasta, cheese, etc.), or a typical Chinese dinner, or even the sandwich and drink that you had for lunch?

A third, and probably the largest, problem with the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid is that it teaches a single approach to nutrition, which not everyone agrees with. Many nutritionists recommend consuming a different ratio of macronutrients than that proposed by the USDA.

To counter these problems, ND developed the Caloric Ratio Pyramid. Every food has a specifically definable place on it, and this pyramid can be used with any diet or nutritional program.

 

Using the Caloric Ratio Pyramid to Target Your Diet
Although there is disagreement among nutritionists over which ratios are most optimal for health and weight loss, many popular diets are based on a particular caloric ratio. For example, the USDA guidelines recommend that approximately 60% of the Calories you consume should come from carbohydrates and approximately 30% from fat. Proponents of the Zone™ diet recommend a ratio (40%-30%-30%) much lower in carbohydrates, but higher in protein. Proponents of the Atkins™ and South Beach™ diets recommend even lower consumption of carbohydrates, while many other diet gurus focus on an ultra-low consumption of fats.

Regardless of which diet philosophy you subscribe to, it’s nice to know whether your current consumption comes close to your goal. This is where the Caloric Ratio Pyramid is most helpful. Any recommended caloric ratio can be envisioned as a "target zone". (Please see examples below.) When viewing a nutritional analysis, this lets you tell at a glance how closely that food fits your dietary goals. In other words, if the Caloric Ratio Pyramid's position marker falls within your target zone, then that food may be good to include in your diet.