Understanding MyPlate
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) created MyPlate to make it easier to eat healthily. Use the easy-to-follow symbol to see what your healthy plate should look like: half should be vegetables and fruit; the other half should be split between lean meat and whole grains. The MyPlate symbol is a useful tool that shows what you should eat and how much to put on your plate.
How MyPlate Works
MyPlate has color-coded sections:
- Green = Vegetables
- Red = Fruits
- Orange = Grains
- Purple = Protein
- Blue = Dairy
Ways to use MyPlate
- Make half of your plate vegetables and fruits
- Eat more whole grains (like brown rice, wheat pasta, and whole grain bread) instead of processed grains (like white rice, non-wheat pasta, and white bread)
- Water or low-fat milk should replace juice, soda, and sports drinks
- Eat smaller portions
Visit the USDA MyPlate site and download the MyPlate app.