In an effort to promote healthful eating and lessen the incidence of obesity, the United States Department of Agriculture recently introduced a new symbol replacing the 20-year-old food pyramid. What is this symbol?
- A dinner plate suggesting the relative proportion of food groups and serving sizes
- An ascending staircase showcasing six food groups with the healthiest on top
- A pie-shaped chart with color-coded food groups
If you guessed number 1, you are correct. The original pyramid, which never gained traction, was upgraded in 2005. The revised version increased the number of food groups to six and added a person climbing the pyramid to convey the importance of exercise. But even these improvements failed to convey a clear message about what constitutes healthful food choices, according to public health officials, dietitians and healthcare providers; hence, the pyramid was replaced with a plate.
The new food plate intends to communicate the following messages:
- Enjoy your food but eat less.
- Avoid oversized portions.
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
- Make at least half your grains whole grains.
- Switch to nonfat or low-fat (1 percent) milk.
- Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread and frozen meals and choose the foods with lower numbers.
How well will the food plate work? Initial feedback is generally positive; however, the real test will be whether the symbol conveys information that helps individuals improve their choices about what and how much to eat.
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