Food Plate to Replace Food Pyramid

Posted by Chad Vorthmann on May 31, 2011 in Ag/Food Industry | 0 comments

The shape of healthy eating is changing. Federal health officials are tossing out the food pyramid and replacing it with a plate.

The Agriculture Department will unveil its replacement for the Food Pyramid on Thursday and is calling the new icon a “monumental effort” to improve America’s health. The new design is a plate-shaped symbol divided into four parts — grains, protein, fruits and vegetables. Beside the plate is a small circle for dairy. There’s no room for fats or sweets.

Robert Post, deputy director of the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, said a new icon is needed because the pyramid really does not capture the public’s attention anymore. “Consumers can look forward to a new, simple, easy-to-understand cue to prompt healthy choices,” Post said.