During my “break” today, I started perusing the internet and stumbled upon the new USDA food guide. Interestingly enough, the passe food pyramid has been replaced with the USDA’s “MyPlate.” Fitting for someone like me, since I have been an avid Livestrong MyPlate user for the last almost ten months.
USDA MyPlate
I was checking out the USDA’s MyPlate and I am thrilled to finally be on board with this government agency. It appears we, as Americans, are finally taking this obesity epidemic seriously. The new food guide stresses caloric intake, the importance of fruits and vegetables (vegetables over fruits), and the reduction of processed sugars and high sodium foods.
The new MyPlate is interactive. You click on the portion of the plate you would like to learn more about, and it takes you directly to the relevant information. They’ve made it easy, too. If you click on the vegetable portion of the plate, you are directed to an entire page of vegetables. The vegetables are then divided into subgroups, where you can find the most commonly consumed items, and make appropriate decisions for your family based on your health and dietary needs.
Continuing on with the vegetable example, if you click the “View Vegetable Food Gallery” button on the vegetable page, a new window opens and shows you correct portion sizes in words and in photographs for each item you select in the left navigation menu.
Amazing. Beautiful. Easy to use and understand.
Finally.
Food Obsessed? Not Anymore
America — you have no excuse to continue on with this unhealthy food obsession.
With shows like, “The Biggest Loser,” “Celebrity Fit Club,” “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition,” and movies such as “Food, Inc.,” and “Supersize Me,” the evidence and solutions were already mounted against you.
Now that we have the new, improved, easy to use and understand, USDA MyPlate, as well as a plethora of other resources found on the internet (http://www.livestrong.com, http://caloriecount.about.com, http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-food-calorie-counter, and so many more!) — you have no excuse!
Click here to check it out for yourself. How does your dinner plate stack up against the new and improved USDA MyPlate?
Useful Links and Information
Other very useful and information resources from the USDA website:
Food Trackers and Meal Planning — A note for moms: Click this link. There’s a food planner for your preschooler. Help start them on the right foot* in life but making smart choices and eating yummy, healthy foods at an early age. But wait — there’s more! There’s even a meal planner for new moms and expecting moms!
If I know you personally, and I know that you aren’t a healthy eater, watch out. Because I am on a food rampage. Did I mention that I can’t eat at restaurants anymore without coming home with a raging belly ache? It turns out after being uber health conscious for all of those months, my body has built up a phenomenal repulsion of fats, grease, and everything else unnecessary in a healthy lifestyle.
Thank god. I feel so much better.
Make the Change
Jump on the bandwagon. Let your local restaurants know you want less grease, less sodium and more fresh, healthy options on the menu. Talk to the manager and make demands. Speak with your wallet. If your favorite eatery doesn’t make changes to your satisfaction, take your business elsewhere.
Don’t be afraid to get healthy. Expect more out of America, America.
I know I do.
*I originally typed “food” instead of “foot” — either way, get them headed in the right direction! food? foot? potayto, potahto
childdiabetesdietenduranceexercisefitfitnessfoodfruithappinesshealthhealthylifelivestrongmotherobesityrunningstrengthvegetablewalking
