UMaine Nutritionist Available to Explain New USDA Dietary Logo
The USDA recently replaced its longstanding dietary guidelines food pyramid icon with a new one, “MyPlate,” which brings a fresh approach to daily nutritional recommendations and reflects recognition of the importance of increasing fruits, grains and vegetables consumption, in addition to portion control.
The icon is a departure from “MyPyramid” and serves as a quick, simple reminder to all consumers, built off of the [ http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.ht ]2010 Dietary Guidelines for all Americans, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says. “We all know that what we eat matters – MyPlate (www.choosemyplate.gov) offers a visual reminder to make healthy food choices when you choose your next meal,” the USDA said in unveiling the new logo. “MyPlate can help prioritize food choices by reminding us to make half of our plate fruits and vegetables and shows us the other important food groups for a well-balanced meal: whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy.”
Kate Yerxa, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s statewide educator for nutrition and physical activity, has studied the new daily dietary recommendations and is available to explain some of the differences and shifting philosophies as the nation grapples with obesity and obesity-related health afflictions.
Yerxa can be reached in her Orono Extension office in UMaine’s Corbett Hall at (207) 581-3109 to discuss this and other wise nutritional choices.