The New Food Guide Pyramid!

What’s the Difference?

Food Groups The colors on the new food pyramid represent specific food types, or groups, whereas the old food pyramid used pictures and occasionally words. On the new food pyramid, shorter names and colors represent the five food groups, plus oils.

The size of the stripe guides you on consumption levels. Yellow stands for oils, purple represents beans and meats, red symbolizes fruits, blue indicates milk, green is for vegetables and orange depicts grains. Grains should be the most plentiful in your diet, while oils should be the least. The size of the stripe guides you on consumption levels.

Inclusion of Oils The inclusion of a yellow, thin stripe representing healthy oils on the new pyramid is a primary difference between the food groups on the old and new food pyramids. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines indicate that eating monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in moderation is important to your heart and overall health.

Addition of Activity The new food guide pyramid aims to remind Americans that physical activity has a direct effect on health and well-being. The old food pyramid simply displayed food, with no depiction of a person being physically active. The new pyramid's focus on activity as well as healthy food choices may help you commit to 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise.

Grain Group Make half your grains whole Eat at least 3 oz. of whole grains every day Examples Include: Cereal, Breads, Crackers, Rice and Pasta

Eat more orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes Vegetable Group Vary your veggies! Eat more dark green veggies like broccoli, spinach and other dark, leafy greens Eat more orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes

Choose fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruit Fruit Group Focus on fruits! Eat a variety of fruits Choose fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruit Go easy on fruit juices!

Get your calcium-rich foods! Milk Group Get your calcium-rich foods! Go low-fat or fat-free when you choose milk, yogurt, and other milk products If you don’t or can’t consume milk, choose lactose free products or other calcium sources such as fortified foods and beverages

Meat & Bean Group Go lean with protein! Choose low-fat or lean meats and poultry Bake it, broil it, or grill it Vary your protein routine choose more fish, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds

Make most of your fat sources from fish, nuts, and vegetable oils. Oil/Fat Group Make most of your fat sources from fish, nuts, and vegetable oils. Limit solid fats like butter, stick margarine, shortening, and lard, as well as foods that contain these. Check the Nutrition Facts label to keep saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium low. Choose food and beverages low in added sugars. Added sugars contribute calories with few, if any, nutrients.

My Pyramid Anatomy

ACTIVITY Activity is represented by the steps and the person climbing them, as a reminder of the importance of daily physical activity

MODERATION Represented by the narrowing of each food group from bottom to top. The wider the base stands for foods with little or no solid fats or added sugars.

PROPORTIONALITY Proportionality is shown by the different widths of the food group bands. The widths suggest how much food a person should choose from each group.

VARIETY Variety is symbolized by the 6 color bands representing the 5 food groups of the Pyramid and oils. This illustrates that foods from all groups are needed each day for good health

GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT Gradual improvement is encouraged by the slogan. It suggests that individuals can benefit from taking small steps to improve their diet and lifestyle each day.

Design Your Own Plate According to the Pyramid Guidelines! Illustrate Your Perfect Plate on the Poster Paper Provided Following your Completed Worksheet!