Their Plate, Your Plate, MyPlate!

MyPlate is a staple in nutrition education, but what is it? Where did it come from? And how can it help you live your healthiest life? Released in 2011, MyPlate serves as a visual reminder to help you make healthy food choices and eat a balanced diet.

One of the most exciting things about MyPlate is how it can be completely personalized to different tastes and cultural heritages. Instead of specific foods, MyPlate focuses on creating a balance between different food groups—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or fat-free dairy, encouraging everyone to eat a variety of foods and leaving plenty of space for creativity.

A great way to start is to focus on one food group at a time, making small changes by switching out familiar foods for foods you haven’t tried before. Elevate flavor with a new seasoning blend, including spices such as garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, basil, or coriander to transform an old favorite to a delicious and healthy recipe. Take a trip to an international grocery store, farmer’s market, or even a new aisle of your regular grocery store. Use MyPlate to stay balanced while you explore a world of delicious and healthy meals!