I was so happy to hear about the latest 'official' nutritional guidelines, released by the Obama Administration. In this article I've combined information from several different articles with the of need-to-know details. This only goes to support everything that we do here at The Heart Smart Gourmet, namely that the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest on the planet. The new food guidelines are pretty clear: Make half your plate fruits and veggies, and divide the other half between whole grains and lean protein.
"We are going to continue to have conversations about balanced meals to make this seem fun and simple and not complicated and overburdened," First Lady Michelle Obama said during a Thursday morning press briefing to introduce the MyPlate icon.
"We can do something that makes a difference, something that people can use in their everyday lives," added Obama, who has made combating obesity a priority since becoming First Lady.
The MyPlate logo suggests people eat balanced meals consisting of servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and a small amount of dairy. To help make healthy choices, the USDA is also introducing a website called ChooseMyPlate.gov. The site is designed to provide consumers with practical information on healthful eating. For example, MyPlate recommends reducing portion size; making at least half of each meal fruits and vegetables; making at least half of grains consumed whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and pasta; and switching to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk. In addition, the program urges cutting down on salt consumption and drinking water instead of sugary beverages.
Here are 5 things to get you informed fast: