Choose My Plate

Michelle Obama has teamed with the USDA in developing the Choose My Plate concept. This program was introduced in June, 2011.

The biggest component of the concept is to make sure that half of your plate is filled with fruits and vegetables, with a little less than a fourth being lean proteins and the rest with whole grains. Choosing low fat dairy, helps to round things out.  There are 3 key components.

1. Balancing Calories
-   Enjoy your food, but eat less
-   Avoid oversized portions

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

3. Foods To Reduce
-   Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals (choose the lower numbers)
-   Drink water instead of sugary drinks

So, consider this model when planning your meal. Visualize that plate and load up on things that are good for you. Plant a garden and 1/2 of your plate is taken care of. Enjoy!