Goodbye, Pyramid. Hello, Plate.

The Obama administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have launched a new guide for healthy eating, dumping the familiar but confusing Food Pyramid. The new symbol is a plate with four sections, the two larger ones for vegetables and grains, and the two medium-sized ones for fruits and protein. A smaller circle on the upper right side, like a moon, represents dairy products.

The name of the new symbol? MyPlate, of course. The website? http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
We are pleased to see the new graphic, having previously suggested the idea on our own websites. Other organizations have offered the healthy plate concept, too. For kids, it makes a lot of sense to see what and how much to eat. For all of us, the daily reminder to eat vegetables and fruits is worthwhile. As we eat more health-promoting foods (especially high-fiber vegetables and fruits), we eat less of the fattening processed carbs and high-fat meats and treats. This new concept supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign to combat childhood obesity, an initiative that we wholeheartedly endorse.

For the grains, the USDA notes that the hearty portion on the plate should be at least one-half whole grains. We would suggest more.

For dairy, the USDA advises nonfat and low-fat. This could include milk and yogurt

Two more tips from the USDA:

Check sodium levels and choose lower-sodium foods

Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

Plus another tip from us:

Use a smaller plate to control portion size and thus calories. An 8-inch diameter plate, for instance, holds about 36 percent less food than a 10-inch plate.

Also be aware that eating and preparing food with your family promotes healthier eating patterns.