Choose My Plate is my FAVORITE website to recommend to families who want to focus more on their health and nutrition. If you are looking for a place to start, this is it!
Choose My Plate replaced the old Food Guide Pyramid that we grew up with. Isn’t it so much more user friendly? I love it because you can literally look down at your plate and instantly know if you are meeting your needs or not. It’s so simple that a three year old can tell you what is missing from their plate! The ease of use is one of the best parts about it.
The other thing I like is that if you are following a My Plate style of eating, you are likely getting every macronutrient and micronutrient that you need. That is why it is usually the very first place I start when I am counseling individuals and families. If a family can get at least 1 meal per day that is a full MyPlate, they’re doing very good and are eating healthier than a lot of the US population. If they can get to 2 meals per day with a full MyPlate, they’re doing awesome!! It is a fantastic tool for me to help families address all the issues, questions, and concerns they have along the way as they aim for goals like these.
The other reason I love this website so much is because of the awesome resources and educational materials they have. I am a huge fan of their Ten Tip Series that include topics ranging from healthy snacking to eating out to shopping on a budget to making celebrations healthier. There is a section of the website dedicated to eating on a budget as well as sections for adults, students and even kids. There are coloring pages and activities for kids that you should definitely check out. If you want to go beyond just aiming for My Plate, there is the SuperTracker program where you can track foods and exercise and set goals. Oh, and I shouldn’t forget to mention their huge database of recipes and menus. Really, this website has it all!
Please go check out choosemyplate.gov! It doesn’t matter if you are just getting started on your nutrition improvement journey or if you feel like you’ve already met your goal … I can guarantee you’ll find something new and inspiring at this site!
Check it out at: choosemyplate.gov