Tag Archives: MyPlate

Happy Birthday, MyPlate!

Brittany By on

It’s already been a year since Michelle Obama and the USDA revealed the MyPlate logo, which has helped thousands of Americans make healthier choices when grocery shopping, preparing meals, and eating. Thankfully, we went from the confusing, complicated MyPyramid (where’s the nutrition?) to the streamlined, easy-to-understand MyPlate. And just in time, too – statistics from the Centers for Disease Control show that more than 1/3 of American adults are obese, as well as 17% of all U.S. children and teens. It’s time we make healthier choices, for ourselves and future generations! So as MyPlate celebrates its first birthday, I thought I’d share some timely tips for keeping your party plates fresh, colorful, and healthy! See things in a new light! Even simple ingredients can be re-imagined in exciting new ways. Take my recent example: I had delicious roasted radishes in Continue reading →

What’s on Your Plate?

Brittany By on

Yesterday marked the first-ever National “What’s on Your Plate?” Day, a fitting time to reflect upon whether your meals match the MyPlate recommendations…especially now that it’s a few months after the fresh start of the new year. So, what’s on your plate? Whole foods, like protein, veggies and fruit? Or quick and easy, but processed food? Here’s what was on my plate at lunch today: Leftover ham, carrots and jicama, and an Anjou pear. To me, it’s important that I fuel my body with protein and fresh foods so I can stay alert and energetic during my work week and maintain strength and endurance in my weekly workouts. What’s on YOUR plate? Share with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn

Serving Up MyPlate Suggestions

Brittany By on

I’m a rule-follower. I love (and avidly follow) diagrams, instructions, recipes. So when I saw the new MyPlate logo, which has replaced the Food Pyramid, I was pleasantly surprised. I can easily envision my plate (or salad, or smoothie) divided into four portions, with a dash of dairy. Once I started thinking about it, I realized that pears fit, ahem, pearfectly into the suggestions. The USDA recommends that we fill half the plate with fruits and vegetables. Here’s a quick snapshot of how I’ve included pears on my plate recently: Wednesday, September 14: Topped a grilled pork chop with homemade pear chutney. Served with a side of sauteed green beans. Saturday, September 17: Put a sliced Starkrimson into my breakfast smoothie along with a spoonful of almond butter, chopped kale, orange juice and coconut milk. Added a dash of cinnamon Continue reading →

USDA Reveals MyPlate

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

This month, First Lady Michelle Obama and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed the new food guidance system that replaces MyPyramid, the food guide system developed in 2005. The new icon, MyPlate, depicts food groups divided in appropriate portions on a plate to make planning healthful meals easier at home and when dining out. The focus for each meal is a half plate of fruits and vegetables, a quarter plate of grains, a quarter plate of lean protein, and a cup of dairy on the side. One of the key MyPlate messages is to make half your plate fruits and vegetables; USDA recognizes that Americans simply do not eat enough fruits and vegetables and encourages half a plate of these nutrient-dense foods at each meal to meet nutrient and fiber needs within reasonable calories. Likewise, consuming fruits and Continue reading →

Putting Pears on MyPlate

Brittany By on

Whether I’m eating lunch here at the office or grabbing a bite from a local restaurant, I like to put my food on a plate. It makes it easier to see what I’m eating and just how big my portions are—much like MyPlate, the USDA’s new diagram. MyPlate will replace the Food Pyramid, which has been helping guide Americans’ nutrition choices for nearly 20 years. The new graphic is straightforward and simple. The plate shape is divided into sections for proteins, grains, vegetables, and fruit, with a smaller circle on the side for dairy. Based on the prevalence of obesity in the U.S., this easy-to-understand approach can be an important tool. “This is a quick, simple reminder for all of us to be more mindful of the foods that we’re eating and as a mom, I can already tell how Continue reading →