Posted June 3, 2011 - 3:41pm by Tracy
Farewell food pyramid, hello picnic plate
On June 2, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made news when it replaced the food pyramid graphic for dietary guidelines with a colorful food plate icon.
And just one day after USDA launched its consumer-focused nutrition website, Choosemyplate.gov and announced the new icon, dietitians are buzzing about its strengths, weaknesses, and its very existence.
“Although it isn’t perfect, this is a welcome change for dietitians,” said Erica Battin, a registered dietitian at Galter LifeCenter. “There was a clear need for a more consumer-friendly, simple educational tool about good nutrition and eating habits. ”
The new “plate” icon, which Battin likens to a plastic picnic plate, is the USDA's response to this need. The "plate" is divided into proportions of fruits, veggies, proteins, grains and dairy, with fruits and veggies taking up the lion’s share of the plate. This is a change that Battin had not anticipated.
“We were afraid that the special interest groups behind the processed food industries would prevent the USDA from emphasizing fresh veggies, fruits and whole grains,” she said.
Battin said she is also excited about the new “Tips & Resources” section on the Choosemyplate.gov website, as it addresses many of the common questions that arise.
“These resources will help people know what foods to fill up on when their plate is clean and they are still hungry, or how much cheese is really OK to eat,” Battin said.
Now, she said she would just like this information to become more easily accessible, and also to see even more information on terms like “protein,” “calories” and “whole grains,” about which people are often misinformed.
What do you think of the USDA’s new food plate? Do you think it will make a difference in how people eat?
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