If you haven’t already heard, the U.S. Department of Agriculture replaced the icon of U.S. Dietary Guidelines, the food pyramid, with a colorful plate that many are calling the country’s “pie chart.”
“My Plate” is far easier to understand than the food pyramid. Just by glancing at it you can divine its central premise: Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Amen to that. Don’t let your blood type be Ragu. Follow the recommended dietary guidelines.
Here they are, word for word from the Department of Agriculture:
| Balancing Calories | ||
| ● | Enjoy your food, but eat less. | |
| ● | Avoid oversized portions. | |
| Foods to Increase | ||
| ● | Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. | |
| ● | Make at least half your grains whole grains. | |
| ● | Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk. | |
| Foods to Reduce | ||
| ● | Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers. | |
| ● | Drink water instead of sugary drinks. | |