Jun
MyThoughts on MyPlate
You’ve probably heard (though you may not have been sitting anxiously at your desk ready to watch the live coverage online - ahem) that the USDA released the new food guidance icon last Thursday. The MyPlate replaces the MyPyramid icon (which replaced the Food Guide Pyramid in 2005).
As a dietitian and proud student of the original Food Guide Pyramid, {side note: one of my favorite classmates Alicia and I joked about starting our own sorority at Marshall U to be named FGP. Somehow I don’t think the Greek system would have approved.} I was interested to see which direction a plate-based icon would go. My initial thoughts:
- Whew. I don’t have to completely overhaul my presentations. Yes, the first thought was about me. The “fill half of your plate with fruits & veggies” message always makes its way into my nutrition seminars. (It’s the whole “only one-fourth of your plate is for protein” message that really gets people’s attention.)
- It’s simplistic. I’ve read some concerns that it’s too simple. True, it’s not clear at a quick glance that your grain servings shouldn’t always be from white processed flour or that whole milk is not the best choice for your dairy goals. But, remember this is an icon. To raise awareness. At its most basic, it’s a marketing tool to the general public. It needs to be simple.
- It’s achievable. While I wasn’t one of the MyPyramid haters, I will admit the message of food group proportionality is clearer with MyPlate. I’m a firm believer in making small healthful changes one at a time. And what better way to do that than by taking it one meal at a time? With so many American diets lacking in essential nutrients, even a small change of regularly increasing fruits & vegetables consumption at meals can make a difference.
- Of course it’s not the solution to our poor eating habits in the United States. I hope that goes without saying, but I was happy to hear the First Lady admit it as well. She acknowledged that we have a long way to go in increasing the availability and affordability of nutrient-rich foods to the entire population. And she stressed that healthful habits start at the family-level.
All-in-all, I commend the efforts of the team behind the overhaul. It couldn’t have been an easy task. It’s still early on and I may change my mind about some things as I learn more, but I’m excited to see the follow up and nutrition education opportunities ahead. In the meantime, you can take a closer look at the food-group-specific messages at ChooseMyPlate.gov.
What do you think? Is it better or worse than the pyramids? Is the plate visual helpful? Tell me what you’re thinking in the comments.
