Thursday, June 2, 2011

Good Nutrition isn't Complicated

My Pyramid released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on April 19, 2005 has now been replaced on June 2, 2011 with My Plate.
From My Plate:

- "Enjoy your food but eat less.
- Avoid over sized portions.
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Make at least half your grain whole grains.
- Switch to fat free or low fat milk.
- Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals, and choose the lower numbers.
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks."

"Gone are the old pyramid's references to sugars, fats or oils. What was once a category called "meat and beans" is now simply "proteins," making way for seafood and vegetarian options like tofu. Next to the plate is a blue circle for dairy, which could be a glass of milk or a food such as cheese or yogurt."

One nutritionist said, "This new logo brings it all together." Nutrition doesn't have to be complicated.

For the sake of comparison of educational nutrition logos, Canada's food guide and rainbow can be seen here.

Finally First Lady Michelle Obama "pointed to My Plate’s inability to make children engage in physical activity for the recommended hour a day and she reminded parents that this is an area where they need to be proactive. She reassured Americans that My Plate is part of a long-term initiative in conjunction with the Let’s Move! program to increase healthy eating and physical activity nationwide."