‘My Plate’ Icon Spotlights Veggies, Fruits

A simple plate has replaced a complicated pyramid as the U.S. symbol of good nutrition. The new emblem, called “My Plate,” made its debut June 2. It’s a circle divided into different colored sections. Each section stands for a major type of food. Together, fruits and vegetables make up half of the plate. The “grains” section is a bit larger than one-quarter. The smallest section is “proteins,” formerly called “meat and beans.” A little circle off to the side of the plate is labeled “dairy.” Nutritionists have praised the new symbol for its simplicity. Many have said for years that people should fill half of their plates with fruits and vegetables. The previous symbol, called MyPyramid, had few supporters. Many found it confusing. Shaped like a triangle, it featured a rainbow of vertical stripes. A figure was shown climbing the side, to symbolize exercise.