The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides an online user-friendly nutrition guide called MyPyramid to help consumers explore the food groups, assess their food intake and develop an individualized meal plan to meet the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Dietary Guidelines describe a healthy diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. It also includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts and limits trans fats, cholesterol, saturated fat, salt and added sugars.
MyPyramid Basics
MyPyramid describes each food group in terms of what foods it includes, how much is needed, serving size, health benefits and nutrients. Food groups include grains, vegetables, fruit, milk, meat and beans, oils and discretionary calories. In addition to nutrients, MyPyramid emphasizes physical activity, which should be moderate or vigorous, and add up to at least 30 minutes per day.
Interactive Tools
Five interactive tools allow consumers to query the food database. MyFoodapedia addresses questions about specific foods. MyPyramid Plan allows a user to create a customized meal plan. Menu Planner lets you create menus that fit the meal plan, and MyPyramid Tracker lets you keep track of progress on goals. Child Cost Calculator offers a way to estimate the cost of raising and feeding a child.
Multimedia
Audio and video podcasts explain how taking small steps adds up to accomplishing health goals. A wide variety of nutrition and physical activity topics include organizing the refrigerator, road trip ideas, party strategies and easy lunch box ideas. Public service announcements on health and safety provide important information for families. An animated video can be downloaded to explain the differences in the older version of the Food Pyramid and the newer MyPyramid that accommodates the most recent nutrition and physical activity recommendations.
Specific Audiences
In addition to recommendations for the general population and individuals based on age, sex, height, weight and level of physical activity, the Pyramid addresses three specific groups. Preschoolers age 2 to 5 years, kids age 6 to 11 years and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding have nutritional needs that relate to their stage of life and MyPyramid is customized for these specific audiences.
Healthier Weight
Whether the goal is to maintain, lose or gain weight MyPyramid helps adults who want to move toward a healthier weight. Children or teens should consult a health care provider to track their rate of growth and monitor other health problems.
Dietary Guidelines
The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans gives science-based advice related to food and physical activity. Dietary recommendations are for the general public over 2 years of age and do not address any specific health condition. People with a chronic disease should consult a health care provider for the appropriate nutrition plan for their condition.
Partnering
Communities and organizations can join together to promote health using the USDA Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid. An action kit to develop a health project with these tools can be downloaded.
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