Out with the Pyramid, In with the Plate

It would be really helpful if the Sparkpeople Nutrient Counter included the number of fruit or veggie servings in each food and a total for the day at the bottom. ;-) - 1/8/2013 10:43:43 PM

The American plate looks totally different to the British one. Here is ours (the Eatwell Plate): http://www.nhs.uk
/Livewell/Goo
dfood/Pages/e
atwell-plate.aspx - 6/18/2012 12:44:09 PM

This site has a wide variety of physical activities listed in the data base tracker. I was able to find water walking, slow, medium or fast pace. Thanks. - 6/14/2012 10:31:39 PM

WINACHST, protein DOES need to be included on the plate.

I am very glad to see that half the plate is veggies and fruit (most of mine will be veggies; fruit sometimes disagrees here). Protein is also essential, and not all of us can eat heavy legumes or nuts to get our protein. So, yes, for some of us it will be meat and/or fish and/or eggs. Sorry about the dictates of reality. - 6/14/2012 8:01:03 PM

I want a "plate" of my own!!

I think the plate idea is a good one. - 6/14/2012 5:41:44 PM

Unfortunately there is a lot information in this article that is FALSE! If the author would have taken the time to create a profile (like I have done), she would have learned that it DOES tell you how many servings to eat, including fat (or "oils") and empty calories. And it takes YOUR personal lifestyle into consideration (i.e. level of activity, pregnancy, breastfeeding).

My dietician turned me on to this site when I was pregnant, so I've gotten a lot of time with it. I much prefer SparkPeople's tracker because it has a HUGE database of food, but my plate is terrific at telling me what I should be eating. The move from a pyramid to plate is certainly the right direction! - 5/3/2012 12:39:27 PM

I think the plate serves the purpose it was intended to do. A good simple guide, especially when eating out, or in other situations where you are not making the food. I thought the "debate" about calling one section protein was somewhat foolish. To say that people know that protein is contained in all food, so might find that section of the plate confusing??? First of all, I would say there is a fair number of people that don't "know" this, and second, if they are intelligent or educated, enough *to* know this, they are intelligent or educated enough to know what this section represents.

And with regards to the comment that we shouldn't "dumb down" public education about nutrition. The fact of the matter is many people will not spend the time reading about nutrition, so there does need to be a simplified message. And, remember, half the human population is below the 50th percentile in intelligence. - 2/15/2012 12:51:02 AM

where does the excercize come in?

Alice Schatz - 6/18/2011 11:42:29 PM

It would be cool to be able to buy "the plate" to use. - 6/18/2011 4:57:21 PM

Anyone else notice this is almost exactly the same format as Spark People's "Bikini Diet" plan? Lol, greatness! - 6/18/2011 4:11:24 PM

I think it's fantastic and really simplifies things! I really hope this helps more understand portions, etc. - 6/18/2011 1:59:55 PM

I like the plate! I, also as some other mentioned, learned the four food groups (meat, dairy, grains, fruits&veggies) which was simple (thus I remember them 35+ years later) but not necessarily really that healthy. No one 'idea' is going to fit for everyone however I think this is simple enough and visual enough that people can easily remember. I would say that if make easy people will remember maybe use and THEN get interested in more detailed information. - 6/18/2011 12:50:41 PM

Love it!

: )
Mzzchief - 6/18/2011 11:52:32 AM

I grew up in the 70's and 80's. We were taught the 4 food groups and the visuals were over simplified. Then the Baby boomers took over the world and created the intellectually stimulating pyramid. They must have spent years talking and debating over the intricacies of such a graphic. How I longed for the days when cows roamed a quarter of my day and bread was all abound with every meal. The government of food said that I should have a quarter of the stuff each day. Did I mention that the bread was white bread that we got on sale 2/1.00? Well maybe the intellects are still around perhaps influenced by those of us with simpler taste. I like the plate, it’s a simpler graphic that makes memorizing easier, and it’ll come in handy when at a party or a picnic. If only the dairy was given another name like dairy/calcium/soy or something like that. Too bad Wal-Mart doesn't sell those nine inch plates maybe more Americans would have them. - 6/18/2011 11:09:02 AM

It's about time! It's not perfection but it's improvement and a step in the right direction to inform and encourage Americans to eat and live healthier. - 6/18/2011 10:55:01 AM