Have you heard of a whole new wholesome way of eating? It goes by the name ‘MyPlate’. It is a reminder to find your healthy eating style and build it throughout your lifetime. MyPlate offers ideas and tips to help you create an eating style that meets your individual needs and can improve your health. The MyPlate plan is based on the idea that a balanced diet is composed of a variety of different food groups, with each group playing an important role in maintaining good health. The five food groups are fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. Each food group is represented by a different color on the MyPlate graphic, making it easy to see how much of each group you should be eating in a day.
The Fruits group is represented by a red section on the MyPlate graphic, and it is recommended that you eat at least 1-1/2 to 2 cups of fruit per day, depending on your age, gender, and level of physical activity. This group includes a variety of fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and 100% fruit juices. The key to this group is to choose various fruits to ensure that you get a range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.The vegetable group is represented by a green section on the MyPlate graphic, and it is recommended that you eat at least 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day, depending on your age, gender, and level of physical activity. This group includes a variety of fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables and 100% vegetable juice. Like the fruits group, it is important to choose a variety of different vegetables to ensure that you are getting a range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The Grains group is represented by a yellow section on the MyPlate graphic, and it is recommended that you eat at least 6 ounces of grains per day, with at least half of those ounces being whole grains. This group includes bread, cereal, rice, and pasta, among other foods. It is important to choose whole grains whenever possible, as they contain more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than refined grains. The Protein group is represented by a blue section on the MyPlate graphic, and it is recommended that you eat at least 5 to 6 ounces of protein per day, depending on your age, gender, and level of physical activity. This group includes meat, poultry, fish, beans, tofu, and eggs, among other foods. It is important to choose a variety of different protein sources to ensure that you are getting a range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
The Dairy group is represented by a purple section on the MyPlate graphic, and it is recommended that you eat at least 3 cups of dairy per day, depending on your age, gender, and level of physical activity. This group includes milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products. It is important to choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products whenever possible, as they are lower in calories and saturated fat. The MyPlate plan is not just about what foods you should eat, but also about how much of each food group you should eat. The MyPlate graphic makes it easy to see how much of each food group you should be eating in a day, and it can be a helpful tool for planning healthy meals and snacks. The plan also encourages you to be mindful of portion sizes and to limit your intake of added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
In conclusion, the MyPlate plan is a simple, yet effective way to achieve a balanced and healthy diet. By focusing on the five food groups, including fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy, and being mindful of portion sizes, you can make healthier food choices that will have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being. Additionally, the visual representation of the MyPlate graphic makes it easy to understand and follow, making it a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their diet. Whether you are looking to lose weight, improve your energy levels, or just maintain good health, the MyPlate plan is a great starting point.
