Q: I heard that the Food Guide Pyramid has been replaced by MyPlate. Can you tell me what it is and how I should use it?

A: In June of 2011, the US Department of Agriculture unveiled a new nutrition guide designed to help Americans eat a more healthful diet. It was designed to replace the MyPyramid tool, which was criticized for being overly confusing.

The MyPlate guide is a plate image divided into 4 sections. One section is labeled "Grains," one is labeled "Protein," one is labeled "Fruits," and one is labeled "Vegetables." There is also a small glass to the side of the plate to represent dairy.

While the previous MyPyramid tool incorporated physical activity, portion size, and examples from each food group, the MyPlate guide does not. However, the interactive website that accompanies this tool, www.choosemyplate.gov, has many resources, tips, and tools to personalize MyPlate to your specific needs. A great resource is the MyFoodapedia, where you can find the calories and food groups for any food that you enter, or compare two types of foods.

Some criticism of MyPlate has centered on the lack of information about "good" and "bad" dietary fats (such as choosing olive and canola oils over saturated fats found in high fat dairy products, red meats, and fried foods); the equalizing of all proteins (nuts, beans, fish, and skinless chicken are generally more healthful than red meats); and the inclusion of a dairy serving at each meal (there are other ways to include calcium in your diet). However, this latest nutritional tool is easy to read, uses bold graphics, and can be used with a broad audience. What are the main messages you should take away from MyPlate?

· Make half your grains whole!
· Cover half your plate with fruits and vegetables.
· Choose lean or low-fat protein sources.
· Choose calcium-rich foods that are low-fat or non-fat.
· Find your balance between food and physical activity.