The New Food Pyramid

Let’s talk about the new food pyramid.

I know some people aren’t happy about it, and as a friend said to me last weekend, many are turning it into a political issue. Coming from Argentina, where we tend to debate everything and often make things political, it’s hard for me to see food policy as anything but connected to larger systems.

The truth is, I changed my lifestyle over 15 years ago, long before these conversations became mainstream. When the food pyramid was replaced with “MyPlate” in 2011, I felt it still missed the mark and was heavily influenced by large food corporations.

At the time, I was following voices in the Paleo and ancestral-health movement such as Robb Wolf, Mark Sisson, Chris Kresser, Dr. Loren Cordain, and later Dr. Paul Saladino. Since dietary guidelines are reviewed every five years, many of these professionals and their communities have consistently pushed for meaningful change in how we think about food and health. So while the latest update is being celebrated, it’s important to recognize that this conversation has been building for a long time. 

For me personally, changing how I eat was life changing. I lost weight, improved my overall health, and felt better day-to-day. I also understand that everyone is different… what works for one person may not work for another. Some people claim to thrive on other approaches, including vegetarian or vegan diets, and that’s valid too.

If there’s one takeaway from the new food pyramid, it’s this: returning to real, from scratch cooking matters. Traditional and ancestral cooking methods emphasize whole foods, simple ingredients, and thoughtful preparation. What works best can also depend on our individual needs and genetics. People from different regions of the world historically ate very different diets, and our bodies often reflect that. We also have many phases in life and each phase carries its own nutritional needs.

At Choripan, we believe in food that is intentional, thoughtfully sourced, and made with care because eating real food will help you feel your best. 

Joel Linik

Chef & Owner, Choripan