Start Simple with MyPlate | MyPlate (2024)

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Healthy eating is important at every age. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives. When deciding what to eat or drink, choose options that are full of nutrients and limited in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Start with the tips below.

Note: This tip sheet is also available in 21 additional languages.

Focus on whole fruits

Include fruit at breakfast! Top whole-grain cereal with your favorite fruit, add berries to pancakes, or mix dried fruit into hot oatmeal.

Vary your veggies

Cook a variety of colorful veggies. Make extra vegetables and save some for later. Use them for a stew, soup, or a pasta dish.

Vary your protein routine

Next taco night, try adding a new protein, like shrimp, beans, chicken, or beef.

Make half your grains whole grains

Add brown rice to your stir-fry dishes. Combine your favorite veggies and protein foods for a nutritious meal.

Move to low-fat or fat-free dairy milk or yogurt (or lactose-free dairy or fortified soy versions)

Enjoy a yogurt parfait for breakfast made with low-fat dairy milk or fortified soymilk. Top with fruit and nuts to get in two more food groups.

Drink and eat less sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars

Cook at home more often to limit added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Read the ingredients lists and use Nutrition Facts labels to compare foods.

The benefits of healthy eating add up over time, bite by bite.

Start Simple with MyPlate | MyPlate (2024)

FAQs

Start Simple with MyPlate | MyPlate? ›

Color-coded sections — green for veggies, red for fruits, orange for grains, purple for protein, and blue for dairy — show at a glance how much of these foods to eat. MyPlate reminds us to: Choose variety: The best meals have a balance of items from different food groups. Make half of your plate vegetables and fruits.

What are the basics of MyPlate? ›

Color-coded sections — green for veggies, red for fruits, orange for grains, purple for protein, and blue for dairy — show at a glance how much of these foods to eat. MyPlate reminds us to: Choose variety: The best meals have a balance of items from different food groups. Make half of your plate vegetables and fruits.

What is the first step in using MyPlate for diet planning? ›

Start Simple with MyPlate. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: focus on whole fruits. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: vary your veggies. Make half your grains whole grains.

Is the MyPlate app being discontinued? ›

However, they have reached a point where they will no longer be able to continue providing the service. The discontinuation will take effect on July 9, 2023, and MyPlate will no longer be available for download on iOS or Android stores. Looking for alternatives? Check out SnapCalorie!

What should I eat first in MyPlate? ›

Eating fiber first, then protein and fat, and finishing with carbohydrates could be beneficial. This order could slow the speed that your stomach empties and help lower your blood sugar levels. It's crucial to pay attention to fiber.

How do I get started on MyPlate? ›

Start Simple with MyPlate
  1. Focus on whole fruits. Include fruit at breakfast! ...
  2. Vary your veggies. ...
  3. Vary your protein routine. ...
  4. Make half your grains whole grains. ...
  5. Move to low-fat or fat-free dairy milk or yogurt (or lactose-free dairy or fortified soy versions) ...
  6. Drink and eat less sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.

What are the 5 essential food groups on the MyPlate? ›

As the MyPlate icon shows, the five food groups are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy.

How to meal plan for beginners? ›

Here are some simple tips to get you started:
  1. See what you already have. ...
  2. Write down your meals. ...
  3. Write down recipes to try. ...
  4. Think about your time. ...
  5. Plan to use leftovers. ...
  6. Make a grocery list. ...
  7. Build your shopping list as you go. ...
  8. Buy a mix of fresh, frozen, and self-stable items.

How to start a healthy eating plan? ›

To get the most benefit for your body, fill your plate with foods that have a lot of nutrients. Go for grains that are less processed. Choose a wide range of vegetables and fruits. Fill a quarter of your plate with a healthy protein.

What should I include in every meal? ›

It is generally agreed that a balanced plate consists of one quarter proteins, one quarter carbohydrates and one half vegetables.

What's better than MyPlate? ›

The Healthy Eating Plate is based exclusively on the best available science and was not subjected to political or commercial pressures from food industry lobbyists. Here's a table showing how the Healthy Eating Plate compares to the USDA's MyPlate, section by section.

What are the drawbacks of the MyPlate diet? ›

Cons of MyPlate
  • Lacks clear guidance on portion sizes: This can lead to potential overeating as individuals might not know how much of each food group they should consume.
  • Focuses more on nutrient density than overall dietary quality: Neglecting other important aspects of nutrition that contribute to a balanced diet.
Jan 1, 2024

How do I lose weight with MyPlate? ›

Set simple goals for healthy eating
  1. Set goals within food groups (Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, Dairy)
  2. Choose from a variety of goals or tap "Pick for me!" ...
  3. Take the MyPlate Quiz and use the results code to set your personal goals.
  4. Sync up to your smartwatch (or do it all on your mobile device)

What is the healthiest order to eat food? ›

Inchauspé sums up the research by saying that the best order to maintain stable blood glucose levels is: 'Vegetables first, proteins and fats second, starches and sugars last. In a meal consisting of chicken, bread, green beans and an apple, this means: green beans first, chicken second, bread third and apple last.

Is an apple and peanut butter a good lunch? ›

Apples are an excellent source of fiber, while peanut butter contains protein. Eating these two foods together can help keep you feel full longer. The sustenance apples and peanut butter provide is especially great for people trying to lose weight.

Should you eat vegetables or protein first? ›

Eating high fiber vegetables like broccoli with butter, then your protein, and then eating concentrated or your starchy carbohydrates last could help you lower your glucose numbers and your A1C.

What is the MyPlate concept? ›

MyPlate is a nutritional food guide, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to help Americans become more aware of what they eat and to assist them in making better food choices.

What are the key messages of the MyPlate system? ›

The MyPlate messages include: Find your healthy eating style and maintain it for a lifetime. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: Vary your veggies. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: Focus on whole fruits.

Which describes a key principle of the MyPlate plan? ›

MyPlate encourages people to include three or more of the five food groups in each meal or snack to meet daily nutrient needs and contribute to healthier living. MyPlate guidelines provide daily food group target recommendations based on a 2,000-calorie plan.

What is a main purpose of the MyPlate guidance system? ›

MyPlate is the newest version of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Guidance System (replacing the Food Guide Pyramid). MyPlate depicts proper meal portions of the five food groups (fruit, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy), helping Americans build healthy meals.

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