Hallelujah!
The US Department of Agriculture has finally ditched the flawed "My Pyramid" and replaced it with ChooseMyPlate. ChooseMyPlate is a step in the right direction. Kids Growing Strong has not used the "My Pyramid" model, choosing instead to base our program on the Healthy Pyramid from the Harvard School of Public Health which is based upon science rather than lobbyists.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released on January 31, 2011, are used to direct federal nutrition and education programs that reach tens of millions of Americans, including school lunch and food assistance programs. The 95-page document is the culmination of a two-year process of scientific evidence review and public hearings that drew thousands of comments from individuals and public health experts, as well as from powerful food industry groups.The governments new guidelines encourage Americans to eat more foods that deliver healthful nutrients and fewer foods chock full of empty calories and salt, to exercise more and curb screen time, and to maintain healthy weights. In some places, though, the healthy eating messages are obscured. And, critics say, the guidelines still don't go as far as they could to promote eating patterns that lower heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic disease risk.(Go to the Harvard School ofPublic Health to get the whole story. for the story on the governments version.
The Harvard School of Public Health has developed an improved plate. Click here to read all about the new HSPH Healthy Eating Plate.
