The USDA issued the new dietary guidelines for Americans at the end of January 2011.The good news is that they are just that–guidelines.

According to MyPyramid.gov, this is not a “one size fits all” approach. Which, I’ll be honest, is very good news for a Fitness & Spice girl like me because if  I ate like the food pyramid suggests I wouldn’t fit into any of my clothes let alone a pyramid.

Instead, the United States Fitness & Spice Association (USFSA) developed a set of food and beverage guidelines (pictured here) that work for me, myself, and I. When I eat a diet high in protein and vegetables, and moderate in healthy carbs (like whole grains) and fats, my body and my mind seem to get along just fine.

I’ve been fueling my body this way for quite a while and it seems to fit my lifestyle, my goals, and my activity level without depriving myself of a few of the little extras that make life delicious. What you don’t see in the illustration is the detail that indicates I’ve baked in some flexibility. For example, on days I weight train, I eat more carbs (whole grains, mostly) and less fat. Another example? Some days a girl needs more wine than coffee, so those two components are interchangeable. See what I mean?

And yes, you are not seeing things, pumpkin does have it’s own food group. I eat the stuff nearly everyday so the USFSA felt it deserved a category all of its own. Who can argue with that recommendation?

Like the USDA model, the USFSA model is not a one size fits all approach. It’s simply my approach. So now it’s your turn. What do your personal food and nutritional guidelines look like?

Now I really must go grab a pumpkin protein shake and start climbing my way to the top!