MyPlate includes the five essential food groups for one’s diet. To learn more about building a healthy plate, check out their website. (ChooseMyPlate.gov)

The food pyramid goes flat and the new food plate replaces what we used to know about healthy eating.

MyPlate is divided into easy to read proportions that highlight the main food groups: fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states, “MyPlate illustrates the five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet using a familiar image – a place setting for a meal. Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate or in your cup or bowl.”

Healthier eating habits, easier understanding and simplification of the nutritional information was the driving force behind the restructuring of the iconic pyramid.

“Basically they took the food guide pyramid and put it onto a plate,” SMU dietitian Claire Florsheim said. “The pyramid was unusable for everyday. It took an extra step to organize your plate for the average individual when using the pyramid.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of U.S. adults, roughly 35.6 percent, are obese.

Approximately 12.5 million or 17 percent of children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 years old are obese.

Since the 1880s, the USDA food guidelines have changed throughout the years.

The original food pyramid many of us grew up using had a flaw in its structure.

The serving size of the food groups was criticized for misrepresenting what healthy eating should look like.

Fats, oils and sweets were grouped at the top causing confusion of what their importance plays into our diets.

“The MyPlate has been around for a long time and is similar to the plate theory method used to help diabetic patients manage their intake at each meal to stabilize blood sugar levels,” Florsheim said.

MyPyramid likely ultimately failed because it did not differentiate the nutrient-dense foods like whole grains from empty calorie foods like pasta.

The pyramid did however incorporate exercise into a daily nutritional plan and critics may argue this is one of the major flaws of using the new MyPlate.

In addition, MyPlate does not include oils. While an overabundance could be fattening, a moderate amount of oils is part of a healthy diet.

However, those who do not like to put much thought into making healthy choices may think the MyPlate is a much easier to understand option.

“I think that it is a lot easier to compare it to everyday life. It shows me exactly what I should eat and where I should put it on my plate,” SMU sophomore Megan Gray said. “The pyramid was confusing to understand how many servings you were supposed to have and what the priority was of each food group.”

A notable change the USDA has made is the reduction in the amount of grains.

The plate emphasizes eating at least half your grains as whole grains such as oatmeal, whole what flour and brown rice.

Whole grains do not have their outer coverings removed when processed leaving them with higher fiber content and an essential part of one’s diet.

Fruits and vegetables take up half of the plate.

The MyPlate guidelines stress that the more added color the better by focusing on varying your intake of fruits and vegetables.

Any kind of fruit or 100 percent fruit juice counts as part of the food group and any vegetable or 100 percent vegetable juice counts as a member of the vegetable group. Both fruits and vegetables may be prepared in any way.

“I think MyPlate makes it easier to understand that it is best to eat a balanced diet with mostly fruits and vegetables,” Galen Laprocido, health educator Memorial Health Center, said.

As far as protein is concerned, any type of poultry, meat, beans and peas, eggs, soy products, nuts and more are included in the protein group.

Most choices made for the dairy group should be low-fat or fat-free.

The USDA has also launched a website, ChooseMyPlate.gov. The website includes healthy eating and weight management tips, a calorie counter and sample menus and recipes for families on a budget.