My Plate Food Guidelines For Parents

The USDA released a new symbol to help Americans eat healthier.  This new symbol is a replacement for the My Pyramid symbol.  The colors of the food groups, recommended amounts of food from each of the food groups and daily requirements for a balanced meal has not changed.  

The new My Plate reminds everyone what a balanced healthy meal should look like by showing the portions of each of the food group on a plate.  Learn more about the five food groups.

These are the key messages of the new My Plate that was written to help everyone focus on some specific changes that promote healthier food choices.

Try Our New My Plate For Parents!    

Balancing Calories

• Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce

• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.   

Healthy Eating

Breakfast  

Lunch Ideas

Snack time

Family Mealtime

Portion Control

Cooking At Home

Food Safety

Eating Out Tips

Healthy Holiday

Summer Foods

Healthy Foods

Food Marketing

Grocery Shopping

Food Labels   

Five Food Groups

Fruit Group

Vegetables Group

Grains Group

Dairy Group

Protein Group

Essential Nutrients

Healthy Child

Healthy Child

Psychology To Healthier Eating 

Vegetarian-Vegan

Drinks and Kids

Food Allergies

Childhood Obesity

BMI and Kids

Get Moving!

Kids and TV

See All Our Nutrition Articles