MyPlate, the new dietary guidance icon released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is being tipped to revolutionise how US consumers conceptualise and plan daily meals.
The United Fresh Produce Association together with the produce industry is strongly supporting the adoption of MyPlate among consumers thanks to its landmark recommendation that each meal should include half a plate of fruits and vegetables.
“The new MyPlate and accompanying messaging is a tipping point in how Americans literally visualize what they should eat,” said Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of United Fresh.
“The breakthrough message to ‘make half your plate fruits and vegetables' is simple, compelling and effective,” he added.
Launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, MyPlate will serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices and offer more information on the ChooseMyPlate.gov website.
“This is a quick, simple reminder for all of us to be more mindful of the foods that we’re eating and as a mom, I can already tell how much this is going to help parents across the country,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.
Dr Lorelei DiSogra, vice president of nutrition and health for United Fresh said the 'make half your plate fruits and vegetables' message will have its most dramatic impact on improving child nutrition this autumn in schools that have salad bars.
“Once kids learn to make half their plate fruits and vegetables and see the MyPlate icon, all it takes is a trip to their school's salad bar to make that happen,” said Dr DiSogra.
“This messaging complements our exciting Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative, which supports First Lady Michelle Obama's Let’s Move! initiative to end childhood obesity,” Dr DiSogra added.
“Combining this powerful new message to eat more produce with the increased availability that salad bars provide will benefit the health of millions of kids across our nation.”
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