Menu

Bye-Bye Food Pyramid…Hello Healthy Plate

empty plate, surrounded by raw vegetables

(BlackDoctor.org) — The old USDA food pyramid came toppling down not long ago and officials have recently unveiled an updated version of food recommendations for daily nutrition.

First Lady Michelle Obama said of the new guidelines, “We’re all bombarded by so many dietary messages, it’s hard to find time to sort through all this information. When it comes to eating, what’s more simple than a plate?”

The new guidelines look promising, as they recommend filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables and a fourth of it with grains.

Featured on BlackDoctor

Even better, the protein component does not specify that portion of the meal come from animal products. Finally, dairy is pushed to the side of the plate, hinting that if you’re an omnivore, it shouldn’t be a major source of calories, especially considering its cholesterol and fat content.

Ideally, the plate would list items under each category that fit the requirement and many of those items would be plant sources. Additionally, it would have been nice to say that calcium can be obtained from numerous plant sources like kale.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which sued the U.S. government for not honoring a vegetarian food pyramid in its eating guidelines, has also crafted a food plate that tell exactly what plant sources to get protein and calcium from.

After examining both the USDA Food Plate do you think it has the power to change America’s eating habits?

Related Stories
Answer the question below
What areas do you try to improve in spring?

Get our Weekly Newsletter

Stay informed on the latest breakthroughs in family health and wellness. Sign up today!

By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.

More from BlackDoctor

Where Culture Meets Care

BlackDoctor is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically for the Black community. BlackDoctor understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BlackDoctor gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.
✦ AI Search Disclaimer
This AI-powered search tool helps you find relevant health articles from the BlackDoctor.org archive. Please keep the following in mind:
✦ For Informational Purposes Only
The information provided through this AI search is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
✦ Always Consult a Healthcare Provider
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read through this search tool. If you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
✦ AI Limitations
This search tool uses artificial intelligence to help match your queries with articles in our archive. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated results may occasionally be incomplete, outdated, or not fully relevant to your specific situation.
✦ No Doctor-Patient Relationship
Using this search tool does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and BlackDoctor.org or any healthcare provider.
Explore over 35,000 articles and videos across black health, wellness, lifestyle and culture
Full AI Search Experience >
×

Download PDF

Enter your name and email to receive the download link.

BlackDoctor AI Search