What's on your plate?

MyPlate is the new food icon replacing MyPyramid. MyPlate helps you visualize the proportion each food group should contribute to your plate.

The icon conveys that half of your plate should consist of fruits and vegetables, with vegetables comprising slightly more than the fruits.
The other half of the plate consists of grains and proteins, with grains comprising slightly more than the protein.
Dairy is depicted as a circle (i.e. glass of milk) off to the side of the plate.

While the icon or graphic has changed, many of the messages are the same:

Balance Calories

Enjoy your food, but eat less
Avoid oversized portions

Foods to Increase

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables
Make at least half of your grains whole grains
Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk

Foods to Reduce

Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread and frozen meals – and choose the foods with lower numbers
Drink water instead of sugary drinks

10 Tips Nutrition Education Series

Get started toward a healthy diet! Print theses easy-to-follow tips (available in English or Spanish)...

Popular Publications

Let's Eat for the Health of It

Learn how to choose a healthy plate with these tips. Based on 2011 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this booklet also provides information on cutting back on fats, added sugars and salt; eating the right amount of calories for you; and being physically active your way.

MyPlate placemat