Food pyramid is out, MyPlate in as nutrition guide
Baku, June 4 (AZERTAC). Forget about the food pyramid, the government`s standard for healthful eating for two decades.
The Obama administration replaced it Thursday with a new icon - a plate half filled with fruits and vegetables, the other half with grains and protein, with a smaller plate representing dairy - touting the symbol`s clear and concise message. The old symbol, MyPyramid, has been widely derided as convoluted and confusing.
The hope is that MyPlate will help navigate consumers through a maze of confusing nutritional do`s and don`ts. Instead of trying to decipher food labels, harried shoppers can stick to the basics by dedicating half the plate to produce; a quarter to protein, including meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, soy and beans; and a quarter to grains such as rice, bread and cereal.
“You don`t have to take a magnifying glass or a calculator to the supermarket,” said Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. “Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of every American. This provides clear and simple information based on science.”
The United Fresh Produce Association called MyPlate a “tipping point” that may help persuade people to eat the proper amounts of fruits and vegetables. The Washington trade group represents Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Dole Food Co. as well as smaller growers.
The American Meat Institute Foundation, which represents large meatpackers including Tyson Foods Inc. and Smithfield Foods Inc., said “the new plate makes sense,” even with a protein portion smaller than vegetables or grains.
“Given the nutrient density of meat and poultry, it requires less space on the plate to offer great nutrition,” James Hodges, president of the foundation, said in a news release.
The MyPlate logo comes more than four months after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released new dietary guidelines, promoting more fruits and vegetables and a diet rich in nutrients. The plate is one more step in carrying out the message, said officials, who plan to roll out more of the campaign in later phases, including encouraging people to eat less, switch to fat-free or low-fat milk, choose foods lower in sodium and drink water instead of sugary drinks.
Other news in this section
