The new food pyramid is a circle.
The feds have ditched the age-old triangular guide to eating well in favor of a circular plate they hope diners will load up with fruits and veggies.
“As long as they’re half full of fruits and vegetables and paired with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, we’re golden,” said First Lady Michelle Obama, who helped unveil the new icon Thursday.
The simple white plate is paired with a smaller white plate that the feds say is reserved for dairy, such as a cup of milk or a container for yogurt.
Nutritionists have long complained the food pyramid, which dates back to 1992, was too confusing for consumers – and they pushed for a round plate like the ones found on American tables.
“It’s a huge improvement over anything we have had before. Anyone ought to be able to understand it,” said Marion Nestle, nutrition professor at New York University.
The icon, MyPlate, still features colors: a green triangle for veggies, red for fruits, orange for grains, purple for protein and blue for dairy.
MyPlate (choosemyplate.gov) is in step with the First Lady’s effort to reduce childhood obesity.
“As a mom, I can already tell how much this is going to help parents across the country,” she said.
The feds also encouraged the public to drink low-fat or fat-free milk, drink water over soda, and reduce salt intake.
