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USDA Food Guide

Picture of the ChooseMyPlate.gov design

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Nutrition experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services update their food guide every 5 years. It is for both children and adults. And it's meant to help people control portion sizes and make the healthiest choices possible within food groups.

For a personalized food guide, go to the interactive website www.ChooseMyPlate.gov.

ChooseMyPlate

The MyPlate design (as shown above) reminds people to make healthy food choices, including:

  • Enjoy your food, but eat less.
  • Avoid oversized portions.
  • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
  • Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
  • Make at least half of your grains whole grains.
  • Compare sodium (salt) in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals—and choose the foods with lower numbers.
  • Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
Last Revised July 19, 2011

Last Revised: July 19, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator

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