This week the government demolished it’s well-known food pyramid.
Criticized as too complex to understand, it is replaced with a new, simpler
image of a plate divided into basic food groups, called MyPlate. It was
conceived as a crucial part of the first lady’s, Michelle Obama’s,
campaign against obesity, designed to remind consumers about the basics
of a healthful diet.
The plate is split into four sections, for fruit, vegetables, grains and
protein. A smaller circle sits beside it for dairy products. The first
part of the campaign will encourage people to make half their plate fruit
and vegetables. Later phases will urge consumers to avoid oversize portions,
enjoy their food but eat less of it, and drink water instead of sugary drinks.
The Agriculture Department has created a Web site,
ChooseMyPlate.com, that elaborates on the guidance reflected in the plate’s design.
It includes tip sheets with recommendations like eating fish twice a week
and avoiding high-fat or salty foods. In addition, the website has many
tools to help consumers; examples include a personalized meal plan, diet
analysis, and a food lookup feature.
Conceptually this is a big step in the right direction for the government,
simplifying instructions to help our nation eat healthier, combat obesity
and its debilitating consequences.
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