Forget the Food Pyramid – MyPlate Is the New Tool for Good Nutrition

The US Department of Agriculture has acknowledged that the Food Pyramid has outlived its usefulness; (in fact, the latest incarnation is not too easy to understand).  A press release has launched MyPlate, the new icon that’s to serve as a reminder in making healthier food choices.

MyPlate consists of a colorful four-part plate – red for fruits, green for vegetables, orange for grains, and purple for protein, with a separate glass-sized section for dairy on the side.  It is hoped that its use will actively change American eating behavior in building healthful meals.

You can learn all about MyPlate at the well-designed, easy-to-understand website.  The thrust is to explain that half of one's meal should come from fruits and vegetables, one quarter from grains, and another quarter from protein (the protein should be lean, and at least half the grains should be whole grains); the extra dairy portion should be low-fat products.

Later this year the Department plans to unveil a “go-to” online tool that people can use to personalize and manage their dietary and physical activity choices.  If this proves to be as user-friendly as MyPlate itself, I’ll be glad to try it out and let you know about it.