The U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled the federal government’s new food icon, MyPlate, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices. The MyPlate icon emphasizes the fruit, vegetable, grains, protein and dairy food groups. Move over, food pyramid.

Why was the food pyramid changed to MyPlate?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled the federal government’s new food icon, MyPlate, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices. The MyPlate icon emphasizes the fruit, vegetable, grains, protein and dairy food groups. Move over, food pyramid.

What did the food pyramid turn into?

After decades of the food pyramid, Americans can look to a new model for healthy eating, ‘MyPlate’, the new symbol of proper nutrition from the USDA which was announced Thursday.

What is the food pyramid plate?

A quartered plate called—wait for it—MyPlate that was designed to visually convey the elements of healthy eating to Americans of all ages. The new icon consists of a white plate divided into four segments: green for vegetables, red for fruits, orange for grains, and purple for protein.

When did MyPlate replace the food pyramid?

June 2, 2011
June 2, 2011 — A colorful four-part plate, with a side dish of dairy, has replaced the 19-year-old food pyramid as the icon of the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

How does MyPlate differ from the the food pyramid?

The MyPlate approach differs from the Food Pyramid by focusing on what foods you eat instead of a specific food group. In other words, it is less about what you don’t eat and more about what you should be eating.

When and why was MyPlate created?

In June 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled MyPlate, the federal government’s primary food group symbol, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthy food choices consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Who makes the food pyramid?

the USDA
The Food Guide Pyramid was a recognizable nutrition tool that was introduced by the USDA in 1992. It was shaped like a pyramid to suggest that a person should eat more foods from the bottom of the pyramid and fewer foods and beverages from the top of the pyramid.

What is MyPlate and why is it important?

The purpose of MyPlate is to promote messages based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPlate emphasizes five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy products. Consuming balanced each of these food groups as recommended in MyPlate helps you build and maintain healthy bones.

How are MyPlate and the food pyramid similar?

MyPlate recognizes the benefits of a plant-based diet; hence, it eliminates “oils” or “fats” section included in the previous Food Pyramid. MyPlate also incorporates dairy because it is believed to play an important role in maintaining good health.

How does the food pyramid work?

Using the Food Pyramid The Food Pyramid shows how much of what you eat overall should come from each shelf to achieve a healthy, balanced diet. The shape of the Food Pyramid shows the types of foods and drinks people need to eat most for healthy eating.