But they love rice. Both foods fill the same nutritional needs in the diet and are equally valid. The scientific principles do not differ but the way of achieving them does. Many cultural pyramids are now available. While they can be useful, I feel there are two cautions you should keep in mind if you teach with them.
Some people see the pyramid as a reflection of the traditional diet.
That is a misinterpretation. A food guidance system or pyramid should help clients reach toward a better diet. Some of the cultural pyramids now available are not clearly based on research. The USDA food guide pyramid has a large body of research to support it. Other pyramids may look useful but they are based on expert opinion rather than solid research.