The days of the food pyramid are over.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently unveiled MyPlate as a replacement for the impossible-to-read MyPyramid, which replaced the original food pyramid from 1992 that was drilled into our heads since elementary school.
The food pyramid isn’t a pyramid at all actually; it’s a pie chart. MyPlate is a brightly colored diagram in the shape of a plate with half of a meal consisting of fruits and vegetables, a quarter consisting of protein, and a quarter grain and an additional circle, or cup, representing the recommended amount of dairy.
One of the most noticeable differences is the absence of the old pyramid’s reference to sugars, fats and oils, showing these bad-for-you foods have no place on your plate at all.
“I am quite disappointed by the lack of information and diagrams,” said senior nutrition major Margery Wong. Nevertheless, she still thinks it’s a big step for the USDA to declare this tool as a guide as she sees the intentions of improving nutrition literacy.
The new tool does show you how to make a healthy meal no matter what situation you’re in. If you look down at your plate in the dining hall or at a friend’s barbeque this summer and see it’s half full of fruits and vegetables, and paired with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, you’re set and if not you have an opportunity to try and fix it.
It also includes a website: ChooseMyPlate.gov. Much of the federal government’s nutrition education programs are based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that launched this past January. Although some of the tips are common sense they’re still good to look over to make healthier choices.
Balancing 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%) milk.
Foods to Reduce
- Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ? and choose the foods with lower numbers.
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
Sources: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/