NUTRITION
USDA's
new MyPyramid symbolizes a personalized approach to healthy eating and physical
activity. The School Breakfast and Lunch Menu offers a variety of foods to
promote a healthy lifestyle which fit well in MyPyramid.
Physical activity simply means movement of the body that uses energy. Walking, gardening, briskly pushing a baby stroller, cllimbing the stairs, playing soccer, or dancing the night away are all good examples of being active. For health benefits, physical activity should be moderate or vigorous and add up to at least 30 minutes a day.
The amount of grains you need to eat depends on your age, sex, and level of physical activity. At least of 1/2 of all the grains eaten should be whole grains.
Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as a member of the vegetable group. Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut-up, or mashed.
Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.
All fluid milk products and many foods made from milk are considered part of this food group. Foods made from milk that retain their calcium content are part of the group, while foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not. Most milk group choices should be fat-free or low-fat.
All foods made from meat, poultry, fish, dry beans or peas, eggs, nuts, and seeds are considered part of this group. Dry beans and pease are part of this group as well as the vegetable group. Most meat and poultry choices should be lean or low-fat. Fish, nuts, and seeds contain healthy oils, so choose these foods frequently instead of meat or poultry.
Oils are fats that are liquid at room temperature, like the vegetable oils used in cooking. Oils come from many different plants and from fish.
| GRAINS | VEGETABLES | FRUITS | OILS | MILK | MEAT & BEANS |
MyPyramid.gov
STEPS TO A HEALTHIER YOU
ACTIVITY is represented by the steps and the person climbing them, as a reminder of the importance of daily physical activity.
MODERATION is represented by the narrowing of each food group from bottom to top. The wider base stands for foods with little or no solid fats or added sugars. These should be selected more often. The narrower top area stands for foods containing more added sugars and solid fats. The more active you are, the more of these foods can fit into your diet.
PERSONALIZATION is shown by the person on the steps, the slogan, and the URL. Find the kinds and amounts of food to eat each day at MyPyramid.gov.
PROPORTIONALITY is shown by the different widths of the food group bands. The widths suggest how much food a person should choose from each group. The widths are just a beneral guide, not exact proportions. Check the Website for how much is right for you.
VARIETY is symbolized by the 6 color bands representing the 5 food groups of the Pyramid and oils. This illustrates that foods from all groups are needed each day for good health.
GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT is encouraged by the slogan. It suggests that individuals can benefit from taking small steps to improve their diet and lifestyle each day.
