{"id":1235,"date":"2011-06-03T12:31:33","date_gmt":"2011-06-03T16:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/drnorrischumleysatisfiedlife\/?p=1235"},"modified":"2011-06-03T12:37:04","modified_gmt":"2011-06-03T16:37:04","slug":"new-food-guidelines-from-usda-%e2%80%93-choosemyplate-gov","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/drnorrischumleysatisfiedlife\/2011\/06\/new-food-guidelines-from-usda-%e2%80%93-choosemyplate-gov.html","title":{"rendered":"New Food Guidelines from USDA \u2013 ChooseMyPlate.gov"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>A new nutrition campaign has arrived from the USDA with new food guidelines, including a replacement for the old USDA Food Guide Pyramid: an official new set of U.S. Dietary Guidelines.\u00a0 It was unveiled on June 2nd<\/sup> \u2013 a colorful dinner plate divided into 4 sections with a side glass for dairy, along with revised nutritional guidelines.<\/p>\n

Finally, the USDA is catching up with eating mostly vegetables and fruits and less protein and grains — what we\u2019ve been talking about, and trying to adopt for a long time.\u00a0 The old Food Pyramid was a bit overly complicated, and recommended too many carbohydrates.\u00a0 They had a hard time including exercise and recreation into it, too, so that’s been dropped.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the new MyPlate diagram: notice how it\u2019s recommending half our daily diet consist of vegetables (the green section) and fruits (the red section), about \u00bc protein (purple), and \u00bc grains (orange for carbohydrates), with half of those as whole grains.\u00a0 Off to the side is a circle symbolizing the dairy group.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a brand new USDA website devoted to the new diagram and dietary recommendations, too \u2013 it\u2019s www.ChooseMyPlate.gov<\/a>.\u00a0 It\u2019s very well designed and informative, with sections on basic nutrition, balancing calories, tips for what to reduce and what to increase, details on the five groups and lots of healthier recipes.\u00a0 They\u2019ve packed it with links and downloads for additional resources, weight loss, and general dietary guidelines.\u00a0 Also, they include ideas for increasing and maintaining a physical exercise routine.<\/p>\n

The new guidelines and programs were introduced by First Lady Michelle Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin in a news conference.<\/p>\n

From the USDA\u2019s June 2nd<\/sup> news release:<\/p>\n

“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 much this is going to help parents across the country,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “When mom or dad comes home from a long day of work, we’re already asked to be a chef, a referee, a cleaning crew. So it’s tough to be a nutritionist, too. But we do have time to take a look at our kids’ plates. As long as they’re half full of fruits and vegetables, and paired with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, we’re golden. That’s how easy it is.”<\/p>\n

“With so many food options available to consumers, it is often difficult to determine the best foods to put on our plates when building a healthy meal,” said Secretary Vilsack. “MyPlate<\/em> is an uncomplicated symbol to help remind people to think about their food choices in order to lead healthier lifestyles. This effort is about more than just giving information, it is a matter of helping people understand there are options and practical ways to apply them to their daily lives.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“The new icon is simple and easy to understand, with more emphasis placed on fruits and vegetables,” said U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin. “This new tool can be a fun way to help individuals and families make healthier meal choices. I encourage all Americans to follow the new dietary guidelines and become familiar with the new icon because it will serve as a compass to a healthy and fit nation.”<\/p>\n

Originally identified in the Child Obesity Task Force report which noted that simple, actionable advice for consumers is needed, MyPlate<\/em> will replace the MyPyramid<\/em> image as the government’s primary food group symbol as an easy-to-understand visual cue to help consumers adopt healthy eating habits consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans<\/em>. MyPyramid<\/em> will remain available to interested health professionals and nutrition educators in a special section of the new website.<\/p>\n

ChooseMyPlate.gov<\/a> provides practical information to individuals, health professionals, nutrition educators, and the food industry to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutrition education, and other user-friendly nutrition information. As Americans are experiencing epidemic rates of overweight and obesity, the online resources and tools can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families, and their children. Later this year, USDA will unveil an exciting “go-to” online tool that consumers can use to personalize and manage their dietary and physical activity choices.<\/p>\n

Over the next several years, USDA will work with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’sMove!<\/em> initiative and public and private partners to promote MyPlate<\/em> and ChooseMyPlate.gov<\/a> as well as the supporting nutrition messages and “how-to” resources.<\/p>\n

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans<\/em>, launched in January of this year, form the basis of the federal government’s nutrition education programs, federal nutrition assistance programs, and dietary advice provided by health and nutrition professionals.<\/p>\n

The Guidelines<\/em> messages include:<\/p>\n

Balance Calories<\/strong><\/p>\n