MY PLATE

For many years people have used the food pyramid to talk about a well-balanced meal. However, in June 2011, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) introduced the new “MyPlate” icon. Its round shape resembles a dinner plate, which includes food from different groups that make a well-balanced meal. USDA aims to make dietary changes in American people’s daily lives and educate them about healthy eating habits.

On MyPlate icon you can see four different sections. They all have a different size representing how much you should eat from each food group. Fruits and vegetables take up half the space, which means half of your diet should be fruits and vegetables. Grains and protein make up the other half. Next to the plate there is a dairy. This could be something like a glass of milk, some cheese or yoghurt. The old pyramid had sugars, fats or oils. The category which was called “meat and beans” is now simply “proteins,” making way for seafood and vegetarian options too. They aim to make nutrition less complex. The leaders of MyPlate campaign say that they know Americans want to be healthy, but making those healthy choices is not easy for everyone. That’s why they are trying to make it easier. MyPlate campaign doesn’t only show people what they should eat and how much. It also gives messages to people about healthy eating. They are:

• Find your healthy eating style and maintain it for a lifetime

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: vary your veggies

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: focus on whole fruits

• Move to low-fat or fat-free milk or yoghurt

• Make half your grains whole grains

• Vary your protein routine

• Make small changes