What’s On My Plate?

The US Department of Agriculture has a simple to understand graphic that shows us the types of foods we need to eat and what proportions we should consume

Green for vegetables

Purple for proteins

Red for fruits

Brown for grains

Blue for dairy

Half our plate should be veggies and fruits, with veggies a bit more than fruit

Protein should be not quite one quarter of the plate

Grains should be a bit more than one quarter of the plate

Dairy should be a small amount, less than protein

Water should be the drink of choice

And little to no added fat, salt or sugar

A “serving” is half a cup for most food types, again with the proportions as above.  A serving of meat, chicken or fish is about the size of a deck of cards or the palm of an adult’s hand.

Yes it’s simple, maybe simplistic, but it is something a kindergartner, or someone who can’t read, can understand and put into practice.  The rest of us can spend a lot of time learning what to eat in great detail, but this My Plate gives us a place to start.  And that is the point – you have to start somewhere to get on the road to healthier eating.  It might be smart to start with something simple, like My Plate.

See http://www.choosemyplate.gov/  for more information.