Food Pyramid Becomes A Plate

Responding to complaints that the old food pyramid was not easy to understand, the USDA has come up with a plate. The plate, called MyPlate, is sectioned into food groups – fruits, vegetables, grains and protein. Each group is colored and sized to ensure the right portions are included.

This display is much easier to understand and should help your kids understand the proper foods to eat for healthy meals.

Even First Lady Michelle Obama likes this idea:

First Lady Michelle Obama introduced the plate and said she will use it with her family, which includes the Obamas’ two daughters, Sasha and Malia. Mrs. Obama, who started the Let’s Move campaign to help kids get healthier, said the pyramid just wasn’t easy enough for parents and kids to follow. The plate is simple and useful.

“I can’t help but look at my own plate a little differently,” she said. “We’re implementing this in our household.”The plate can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That may make you wonder: Do I really have to eat vegetables with breakfast? The answer is no, but aim to eat a variety of food groups at each meal. And if your breakfast doesn’t include a veggie, consider a vegetable at snack time. (Yes, healthy, portion-controlled snacks are still OK.)

The plate also shows how to balance your food groups. There’s a reason the protein section is smaller: You don’t need as much from that group. Eating more fruits and vegetables will help you eat fewer calories overall, which helps you keep a healthy weight. Eating fruits and veggies also gives you lots of vitamins and minerals.

Expect to hear more about the MyPlate. The USDA promises new online tools to help people learn how to apply it to their everyday lives at ChooseMyPlate.gov.

Food Guide Pyramid Becomes a Plate