On June 2, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released MyPlate, a new symbol for healthy eating that replaces the traditional food pyramid. The new plate was designed to provide a simple visual reminder to help consumers make healthy food choices. Also, general recommendations for healthier eating were released, derived from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:
· Balance calories. Enjoy your food, but eat less. Avoid oversized portions.
· Increase healthy foods. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Make at least half of your grains whole grains. Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk.
· Reduce less healthy options. Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread and frozen meals – and choose the foods with lower numbers. Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
· Engage in physical activity. Being active is an important partner to healthy eating. People should strive to get moderate to vigorous physical activity on a regular basis.
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