A New Pyramid!

Everyone has heard that the new Pyramid is finally here! It comes with a new symbol and new information to help Americans make healthy food choices and to be active every day. Here’s a brief explanation of the meaning of the new symbol.

Food Groups
Each food group is represented as a vertical triangle.
Grains are orange
Vegetables are green
Fruits are red
Oils & fats are yellow
Milk is blue
Meats and beans are purple

Activity
A major change in the pyramid is the activity symbol represented by the steps and a person climbing them. This is a reminder of the importance of daily physical activity.

Moderation
The narrowing of each food group from bottom to top reminds us to eat all foods in moderation. The wide base stands for foods with little or no solid fats or added sugars. These should be selected more often. The narrower top area stands for foods containing more added sugars and solid fats. The more active you are, the more of these foods can fit into your diet.

Personalization
The person on the steps, the slogan and the new website represent the individuality of food and activity for each person. You can find the kinds and amounts of food to eat each day at MyPyramid.gov.

Proportionality
The different widths of each food group’s band represent the contribution of each group to the diet. These widths are a general guide, not exact proportions. Check the website for how much is right for you.

Variety
The six color bands represent the 5 food groups and oils. Foods from all groups are needed each day for good health.

Gradual Improvement
The slogan “Steps To A Healthier You” encourages gradual improvement. It suggests that individuals can benefit from taking small steps to improve their diet and lifestyle each day.

Watch our website for more information and in the meantime, click here to check out MyPyramid.gov.

Note: this information has been taken from USDA’s MyPyramid.gov website.