Dave, I agree with you 100%. I'm going to read you every single recommendation from the healthy eating pyramid, and I'm going to do it in less than a minute.
On a foundation of daily exercise and weight control, eat whole grain foods at most meals; plant oils at most meals; vegetables in abundance; fruit two to three times a day; nuts and legumes one to three times a day; fish, poultry, and eggs zero to two times a day; and dairy or a calcium supplement one to two times a day. Use sparingly red meat, butter, white rice, white bread, white pasta, potatoes, soda, and sweets. Multiple vitamins are appropriate for most people.
This has been validated in a very robust study as a better means of following nutrition recommendations. That's it.
Is that the kind of thing you're looking for?