Jul

Choose My Plate

Jonathan

About a month ago, the Department of Agriculture unveiled its new healthy food pyramid replaces the icon. Many doctors and nutritionists believe is a step in the right direction, and I agree with them. But let me explain again why …

In 1992, the first pyramid was released that looked like this:

While I believe the grains are very important and often incorrectly called bandits to be probably at the base of the food pyramid, they emphasized a bit too much. Especially since most Americans are not comprehensive and selection decisions for a large part of refined breads, cereals, rice and noodles. In 2005, the Food Guide Pyramid USDA MyPyramid changed …

… This was a complete disaster. This symbol is totally confused and does nothing to educate the public about a healthy choice. The site, which was accompanied with many useful tools interactive and good information, but the time it took to get this information was a barrier for most Americans. Fast forward to last month and the new icon now looks like this …

Sound familiar? If you were local, you can remember that we are (for many years), educated visitors on how to make half your plate fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins 4:01 4:01. Essentially results in the above recommendations. The emphasis on fruits and vegetables that most of each panel is a step in the right direction. I will say though, I would recommend more vegetables of fruit (which is the symbol conveys something of the larger triangle, where the vegetables).

The two drawbacks to this album in my opinion are: 1) the addition of a glass of milk and 2) no emphasis on healthy fats.

First, sources of protein are meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, beans, soy and dairy products. If you have a glass of milk (or yogurt, cottage cheese or cheese), which can be protein. For just an additional milk product is 100-200 extra calories to add to the already well-balanced meal.
Second, the addition of healthy fats (olive oil and canola oil, avocados, nuts) help your meals, feel very satisfied. It can also help reduce cravings for sweet foods, help with the loss of visceral fat or abdominal, lower risk of heart disease and help you eat less calories overall.

Given all this, this is how I would like "Choose my plate" for breakfast, lunch and dinner:

Breakfast: oatmeal with milk and peanut butter and banana

Lunch: large salad (vegetables, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, mushrooms, peppers, etc.) covered with soy beans, balsamic vinegar of light whole wheat crackers on the side

Dinner: Vegetable chili with melted cheese and served with corn grain bread

If you click choosemyplate.gov and interactive tools, you'll see links to "Daily Food Plan" or "Power Planner". Do not enter a position, your weight, height, weight and age to see their need for calories and recommended servings from each food group. Then you can drive one for yourself, which is well balanced.

So my question is, is this new icon for help? Is it easier to understand than the pyramids of the past? He did it the way you eat, anyway?