Michelle Obama’s ‘MyPlate’ Makes Nutrition More Accessible To Kids

Michelle Obama unveiled an improvement on the food pyramid today with “MyPlate,” depicting food groups on a plate as opposed to the standard food pyramid. This effort, one of many in her anti-obesity campaign, presents nutrition in much more straightforward way than the food pyramid I remember in every classroom when I was a kid.

Stacked with “servings” regarding protein and fruits, the old food pyramid never really had much to offer children in terms of understanding portions. Apparently, The New York Times agrees:

Nutritionists often criticized the food pyramid, which was first released in 1992, for being either misleading or hard to understand. They gave the plate cautious praise.

Although “MyPlate” is considered much easier to understand, Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, has described the protein section of the plate as misleading considering that grains and dairy can also provide protein. She also points out that the majority of Americans receive far more protein than is necessary.

However, the focus on fruits and vegetables is to be applauded. Perhaps the First Lady’s revision of the food pyramid will give tots a much better idea of what true nutrition looks like.

(photo: nytimes.com)

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