Why is My Plate constructed in the way it is?

Answer 1

Previously, the food pyramid had been designed to form a base of essential foods and a second layer for those foods required for complete inclusion of all six basic nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water). The design of the food pyramid attempted to show that a healthy diet included larger amounts of foods in the lower levels in relation to foods in the higher levels.

In 2005, the food pyramid was completely revised with the food groups represented as color-coded wedges of the pyramid running from bottom to top. In 2011, My Plate was released to replace the food pyramid and displays the five main food groups. The plate visually shows approximate proportions of the different food groups.

These sections of My Plate show the types and how much of each food group one should eat to maintain a healthy diet. Five are labeled on the diagram. However, there are two groups that are not included on the plate, but deserve some mention - oils and empty calories. The new image does not display physical activity, but it is included as an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle

Answer 2

My Plate was designed to provide a visual representation of a healthy, balanced meal. It is divided into sections for fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein to demonstrate the recommended proportions of each food group in a well-rounded diet. This simple format helps individuals make better food choices and understand the importance of a varied diet.