Studying the Food Plate

Gone are the days of the food pyramid. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) now recommends that you follow the food plate found on choosemyplate.gov. The plate shows you how much of your plate should contain vegetables, grains, proteins, and fruits. Dairy is off to the right-hand side as a side dish. A glass of milk can fulfill the dairy requirement, as can cheese, yogurt, butter, or ice cream. Once you study the plate and the serving sizes, try to come up with some recipes. Plan enough healthy dinners to last for a week and then create a grocery list that you would need in order to make these meals. Not only will you learn how to eat healthier, but you'll also discover how to plan and shop wisely.