On the Web: USDA Ditches Pyramid for Plate

The USDA comes out with a new visual guide to eating healthy based on new guidelines.

The US Department of Agriculture released new dietary guidelines to the public, ditching the iconic food pyramid in favor of the plate.  

 The beauty of the simple plate icon is it makes the visualization of a healthy meal easier—half of the plate should be occupied by fruits and vegetables, while fruits and grains stay on the other, and a smaller blue circle separate from the rest of the plate signifies how much dairy should be consumed. It is all about portion control.

What it does not say in detail, however, is what kind of vegetable or fruit should be served. For example, a potato is a vegetable but I wouldn’t recommend French fries to compose half of a meal if you want to eat healthy.  And why isn’t there space for water? Drinking water is a better option than drinking sugar-laden fruit juices. It also doesn't include plates for people with special dietary needs. It still needs some work but it's a good start to guiding people into making healthier meal choices.

Plate image from USDA My Plate

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