My Plate Replaces My Pyramid

Last month we told you about the New American Plate, a plan for determining healthy dietary guidelines using your dinner plate developed by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).  Good plan?  It must be since the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) came to the same conclusion.  On June 2nd they announced the end of My Pyramid, long live My Plate.My Pyramid, introduced in 1992 and revised in 2005, symbolized good nutrition but most (even nutrition professionals) admit it was confusing and difficult to use.  The new symbol is a positive change and so simple even preschoolers can understand the main concept.  The USDA plate is divided into four  sections, the largest portion is for vegetables, almost an equal portion of grains and is rounded out by smaller, equal portions for fruit and protein.  Low fat or fat free dairy is represented by a small circle to the side of the plate.  Unlike the pyramid there isn’t any space for fats, oils, sweets and alcohol.The new plate image also lists general dietary recommendations.  There are hints and recommendations about balancing calories and drinking water instead of sugary drinks.  It lists foods to increase such as whole grains and tips for choosing foods lower in sodium.  While the new model has been praised and isconsidered a big improvement over the Pyramid it isn’t without a few problems.The first problem is the lack of plate size guidelines – plate size effects portion size and large portions can mean too many calories.  And isn’t that one of the problems the plate method is supposed to help eliminate?  Another “gripe” is that 100% fruit juice, whole fruit and canned fruit are grouped togetherunder the fruit group choices.  The advice that whole fruit is a better choice then juice is buried in the website’s “fine print” along with the recommendation that the canned fruit be packed in juice or water instead of syrup.  Why not keep the recommendations with the food group choices?As we said last month It doesn’t really matter who had the idea first, the important things to remember are that it’s scientifically sound and easy tofollow.  Of course, it’s also important to remember that good dietary guidelines are only one part of a healthy lifestyle.  Healthy eating needs to bepaired with regular physical activity, adequate sleep and stress management to keep you feeling your best.  Check out the website for My Plate (www.choosemyplate.gov) for more information & ideas.  And let the dietitians at Sound Bites answer your questions or assist you with your personal nutrition needs.