Have you heard the news! MyPlate is the new tool to help consumers make better food choices. This new icon was unveiled on June 2, 2011 by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and First Lady Michelle Obama. Why this change? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) felt a simpler look at what to eat would help Americans make healthier choices when eating, by focusing on one meal at a time. This concept aligns with the earlier released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans which can be found at: http://www.blogger.com/www.cnpp.usda.gov/DietaryGuidelines.htm
So what is new? This new plate image illustrates the five basic food groups, so we can visually see how much of each group we should be eating. Half of our food should be fruits and vegetables. Proteins and grains are on the other side of the plate, and dairy is pictured as a side dish. MyPlate comes with three main areas of focus:
Balance Calories
- Enjoy your food, but eat less
- Avoid oversized portions
Foods to Increase
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables
- Make at least half your grains whole grains
- Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk
Foods to Decrease
- Compare sodium in foodsd like soup, bread and frozen meals and choose the foods with lower numbers
- Drink Water instead of sugary drinks
As we usher in the new plate let’s not forget what we learned from MyPyramid. The person on the stairs served two purposes:
1. For lasting change, make changes one step at a time
2. Find a balance between food and physical activity
When thinking of the different food groups these lessons should serve us well:
Make half your grains whole grains
Vary your veggies
Focus on fruits
Get your calcium rich foods
Go lean with protein
Know the limits on fats, sugar, and salt (sodium)
Every food group has a place in our diets. Finding a balance for optimum health is key. If it takes a pyramid or a plate, life is about finding a tool that works to help everyone be mindful of what we eat and how it affects our long term health.
To check out MyPlate go to http://www.choosemyplate.gov/. This comprehensive site will help you get started on making change to a healthier you.
For tips to move over to a healthier plate check out this publication available through the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA).
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/downloads/TenTips/DGTipsheet1ChooseMyPlate.pdf
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1 comment:
I like the idea of the Myplate than the mypyramid when it comes to food. Seeing alone the quantity of what is on top and bottom discouraging unlike the round but the idea is there to eat less of what is excessive and harmul to the body. I like it better.
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