The "New Plate"

Its about time! The government has replaced an outdated food pyramid guide with a similar everyday symbol, "a plate". Hopefully this new symbol will inspire consumers to act on dietary guideline messages. This new symbol, the plate, is now part of a healthy eating initiative that will convey 7 key messages from the dietary guidleines, including enjoying food but eating less, making half the plate both fruits and vegetables, drinking water instead of sugary drinks, and switching to fat free or low fat milk.
Here is a little history of this past better food program. The first pyramid was introduced in 1992 and revised in 2005 (far too long I believe). The second introduction was often criticized as being very difficult to understand and read (one needed a masters in food science).
Now the plate is something people can hook up with quickly. Afterall, we use plates everyday!
Lets hope this new icon will inspire people to change their diets and begin to eat healthy!