USDA Levels Food Pyramid for MyPlate

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today unveiled its much-anticipated new food iconMyPlatewhich serves as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices by filling their plates with more fruit, vegetable, grains, protein and dairy food groups. The new icon replaces the food pyramid that was first introduced in 1992 and redesigned in 2005.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the MyPlate is an uncomplicated symbol to help remind people to think about their food choices in order to lead healthier lifestyles. The effort is about more than just giving information, it is a matter of helping people understand there are options and practical ways to apply them to their daily lives.

The colorful graphic is divided into four wedgesfruits, vegetables, grains, and proteinwith another small circle next to the plate representing dairy. Fruits and vegetables take up more than half the plate, adding grains covers about three-quarters, reflecting a shifting emphasis toward plant-based diets.

"This is a quick, simple reminder for all of us to be more mindful of the foods that we're eating and as a mom, I can already tell how much this is going to help parents across the country," said First Lady Michelle Obama, who helped unveil the icon. "When mom or dad comes home from a long day of work, we're already asked to be a chef, a referee, a cleaning crew. So it's tough to be a nutritionist, too. But we do have time to take a look at our kids' plates. As long as they're half full of fruits and vegetables, and paired with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, we're golden. That's how easy it is."

The new food icon is the result of the 2010 White House Child Obesity Task Forces call for simple, actionable advice to equip consumers with information to help them make healthy food choices consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

ChooseMyPlate.gov provides practical information to individuals, health professionals, nutrition educators, and the food industry to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutrition education, and other user-friendly nutrition information. As Americans are experiencing epidemic rates of overweight and obesity, the online resources and tools can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families, and their children. Later this year, the agency plans to unveil a "go-to" online tool that consumers can use to personalize and manage their dietary and physical activity choices.