"Choose My Plate" replaces the "Food Guide Pyramid"

Overweight and obesity are epidemic in America today.  In an effort to help combat obesity, the federal government and Michelle Obama have released a new food group symbol called “Choose My Plate”.  This new icon will replace the “Food Guide Pyramid”.  The new icon is meant to help people think about building a healthy plate at each meal.  What does the icon mean?  Half your plate should be fruits and vegetables at every meal.  Choose smaller portions, about a quarter of your plate, of whole grains and lean proteins.  Also include a source of low fat dairy or calcium at each meal.  Visit the website to get more information.

The Choose My Plate website is available to provide practical information and help people build healthier diets.  The website provides resources and tools to assess your diet and provide nutrition education.  These online resources and tools can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families, and their children. Later this year, additional tools will also be added to help personalize management of dietary and physical activity choices.

This may be the first time you have seen Choose My Plate, but it will not be the last.  This is just the beginning of a long term initiative to combat obesity and give clear simple messages about what we should be eating.  How does your plate compare?