In an effort to get American’s to eat better and live healthier lives, the USDA has taken down the Food Pyramid and replaced it with a new Food Plate.
According to experts, more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. This new Food Plate will help people understand better just exactly what they should be putting on their and their children’s meal plates. This new design makes it easier to see that half out plates should be filled with fruit and vegetables while the other quarters should be proteins and grains, all washed down with a glass of milk for dairy.
The Plate also helps reflect the new Dietary Guidlinesreleased back in January. For more information you can visit the USDA’s newest site www.ChooseMyPlate.gov setup specifically for this new icon. There you can find more details about the categories as well as recipes, tips and other useful information to get you and your family eating better.
“It’s an opportunity for Americans to understand quickly how to have a balanced and nutritious meal,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “It’s a constant reminder as you look at your own plate whether your portion sizes are right, whether you’ve got enough fruits and vegetables on that plate.”
The biggest change is that grains are no longer as prominent in our daily diet. But that in no way means we should put less emphasis on carbohydrates.
“Nutrition-wise, carbs make up the bulk of our diet,” said Marisa Moore, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. “Fruits are a source of carbohydrates and most starchy vegetables are carb sources in addition to pasta and rice. They’ll still be represented. It’s more of an emphasis on fruits and veggies.”
