Opinion of this food pyramid?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Protein makes up 50% of my diet most days. I try to eat 150g a day since I've starting hitting the weights pretty seriously. The second pyramid makes more sense. That said, as long as you aren't eating too many awful things it probably doesn't make much of a difference. My grandfather is 90 years old and still really active, and he eats "unhealthy" things all the time.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I agree with you on red meat, as I don't recommend anyone eat it daily if they can help it. I usually stick to lean proteins like fish or chicken along with unprocessed vegetables or fruit. I eat very little bread or carbs unless its wheat on a sandwich for lunch. I also drink a lot of isolated whey protein to aid with recovery in my workout regimen.

But I can tell you from first hand experiences and from friends that legumes/lentils/beans are nice substitutes, but they hardly are replacements for animal protein IF you go any sort of strength training or lift regularly.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I agree with you on red meat, as I don't recommend anyone eat it daily if they can help it. I usually stick to lean proteins like fish or chicken along with unprocessed vegetables or fruit. I eat very little bread or carbs unless its wheat on a sandwich for lunch. I also drink a lot of isolated whey protein to aid with recovery in my workout regimen.

But I can tell you from first hand experiences and from friends that legumes/lentils/beans are nice substitutes, but they hardly are replacements for animal protein IF you go any sort of strength training or lift regularly.

Well, there is an UFC fighter who is vegan and he doesn't seem to have trouble With his protein intake. The key of course is to eat even more plant based protein. That being said if someone is active, eating some animals is just fine.

Not really, and don't intend to become a "pure" one. But yes a large part of your diet should be coming from unprocessed plant sources. A little fish or turkey/chicken here or there is fine but red meat really should be cut out of the diet unless you specifically need it for some micro nutrient.

Oh good lord, no way!  What you want is a lot of animal fat - like eggs, fatback/lard, fatty fishes, chicken-fat or duck, and so forth.

Fat is what the body needs.  Fat, salt, and organs, such as livers and kidneys.  Think about what the animals eat as soon as they kill the Wildebeest.

Presumably we also need lots of trans fats in our diet?

There should be a difference in eating habits between animals who have a limited amount to eat and who have to exert themselves to get that food and contemporary humans. The reason animals eat fat is because it provides you quick calories. And our brains, including animals, are wired to love that stuff since it can save your life in the wild. Leading a sedentary lifestyle and eating that will lead to a shortened life span. And while all you have to do is exercise vigorously and you can eat that crap, many people don't have the time to do that. Diet modification seems like an easier way to go for them. Plus the moral arguments about not killing something that doesn't need to be killed and environmental concerns. But making a moral argument to you is a waste of time.

Haha, I knew you'd bring out the vegan body builder argument. I thought about preempting you by telling you not to, but I didn't.

Yeah, I understand it is possible, but they have to work much harder to balance their diet than say someone who isn't a vegan. Kudos to them who are able to do it, but they are not everyone.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Why did you decide to buff yourself up Duke?  The same reason that I did? 

Much of the same, actually.

Also, once my girlfriend and I split, I found myself with a lot of free time and that I had let myself get lazy physically when I was with her, so I decided to go back to the basics. I feel better and it helps clear my mind when I do get a workout in.