Get ready for the replacement for the USDA food pyramid: a plate icon.
Everyone agrees that the existing food pyramid was too difficult and confusing for people to understand and use. The pyramid was originally launched in 1992, and updated in 2005. In spite of this, obesity rates in the US have soared.
The new USDA plate icon is expected to show people how to fill their plate with food from the different food groups: proteins, grains, vegetables and fruit. It should help define portion sizes appropriate for the different foods and help people with portion control.
The food pyramid required people to stop and think about how much of the different foods they should consume each day. A simple visual of a plate should help people make better, healthier food choices when they actually sit down to eat.
Not only will the food pyramid be replaced, but the plate will be unveiled as part of a new outreach campaign and new website with easy to understand information and recommendations, and new tools for consumers.