Neal D. Barnard

Neal D. Barnard is a well-known physician who writes often on health issues. He is the president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that promotes good health and nutrition. In the following viewpoint, Barnard criticizes the food pyramid that replaced the old "four basic food groups" model for good nutrition in 1990. Barnard maintains that although the pyramid's emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and grains is an improvement, it still recommends two to three servings of meat and dairy products every day. Meat consumption, Barnard argues, is responsible for many of the major health problems that plague the United States.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Which industry lobbying groups affect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to the author?
2. What are the chronic health problems in...