The USDA's MyPlate was designed to illustrate what a healthy plate looks like -- a way realistic way to help Americans build healthy meals. The guidelines recommend filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, 1/4 with grains and 1/4 with protein. A cup of milk on the side reminds folks to drink low-fat or nonfat milk or have a cup of yogurt each day.
Along with MyPlate, the USDA offers 7 eat-better messages based on studies and observations of the American diet:
Enjoy your food, but eat less.
Avoid oversized portions.
Make half your plate fruits and veggies.
Make at least half your grains whole.
Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk
Compare sodium in foods and choose those with the lowest numbers.
Choose water over sugary drinks.
Choose from our MyPlate-inspired recipes to help make dinner at home easy, healthy and satisfying.
MyPlate-Inspired Chicken Recipes:
Chicken Cacciatore
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Apple-Honey Drumsticks
MyPlate-Inspired Beef Recipes:
Old-Time Beef Stew
Steak and Tabbouleh Salad
Steak Pizzaiola
MyPlate-Inspired Pasta Recipes:
Pasta Puttanesca
Penne With Spinach Sauce
Sicilian Cauliflower Pasta
MyPlate-Inspired Fish Recipes:
Salmon With Lemon, Capers and Rosemary
Baked Tilapia
Shrimp Scampi
MyPlate-Inspired Pork Recipes:
Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos
Mushroom-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Pork Tenderloin Steaks With Cabbage and Apples
MyPlate-Inspired Vegetarian Recipes:
Whole-Wheat Spaghetti With Swiss Chard and Pecorino Cheese
Spicy Vegan Sloppy Joes
Spinach and Ricotta Pizza
MyPlate-Inspired Side Dish Recipes:
Wheat Berry Salad
Kale Caesar Salad
Oven-Baked Fries
MyPlate-Inspired Breakfast Recipes:
English Muffin Breakfast Pizza
Peach Pie Smoothies
"Hot Chocolate" Banana-Nut Oatmeal
Find more MyPlate-approved recipes on our Pinterest boards.
