Posted on 05/26/2011 1:22:06 PM PDT by Stoat
May 26, 2011 — In an exclusive interview with WebMD, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the replacement for the Food Pyramid will be announced on June 2 -- and that the new icon heralds a "monumental effort" to improve America's health.
Why a new icon? The pyramid really does not capture the public's attention anymore, Robert C. Post, PhD, deputy director of the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, tells WebMD.
"Consumers can look forward to a new, simple, easy-to-understand cue to prompt healthy choices," Post tells WebMD. "You will get this monumental effort across all agencies as well as the private sector. A partnership with the goal of improving the health of all Americans."
One of the few people who already has seen the icon is WebMD Director of Nutrition Kathleen Zelman, RD.
"This icon really has the potential to trigger an 'aha!' moment, where people say, 'Hey, this is not that hard, I can do this,'" Zelman says. "These 'aha!' moments are what make people finally change their behavior."
The release of the icon marks the launch of a massive effort to promote the USDA/HHS dietary guidelines announced last January.
New Diet Icon Marks New U.S. Health Strategy
You'll be seeing the icon everywhere. Every relevant federal agency will be doing its part. The White House will play a leading role, coordinating the new USDA/HHS dietary guidelines with Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative.
The old diet plan was to tell Americans what they should eat and hope for the best. The new plan is vastly more active and will reach people at home, at school, at work, at play, and especially at supermarkets and restaurants.
"What we learned is it is not just giving information, it is a matter of making people understand there are options and practical ways to apply this to their lifestyle," Post says. "There will be a 'how-to' that will resonate with individuals. That is the behavioral part that is needed. We need to transcend information -- 'here's what the science says' -- and give people the tools and the opportunities to take action."
There are six how-to messages to guide healthy eating:
Doing all of this at once may be too much to swallow. So the USDA plan is to stress one idea at a time.
First up will be the "make half of your plate fruits and vegetables" advice. It will be supported by a wide array of guidance on exactly how to do this. For example, one might add fruit to a leafy green salad. Or replace a sugary dessert with a bowl of fruit.
Post notes that the government can't do this alone. Key to the plan is a myriad of private/public partnerships with a wide variety of businesses ranging from grocery to media companies.
"The fact they are reaching out to a broad partnership is important, because we need all the ammunition we can get to fight the epidemics of obesity and diabetes," Zelman says.
SOURCES:
Robert C. Post, PhD, deputy director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USDA.
Kathleen Zelman, RD, director of nutrition, WebMD.
USDA and HHS, 2010 Dietary Guidelines, released Jan. 31, 2011.
I’m guessing that the Stoat Food Pyramid where chocolate, bacon, steak and whisky reside at the top didn’t make the final cut.
So many things to ignore, so little time....
And what is the cost to taxpayers for this tripe?
And the pyramid will have Michelle's ever-watchful eye at the top.
Tell them to bugger off; I’ll eat what I please.
Skim or low-fat milk is actually a bad idea.
You have that chart, too?
“I’m guessing that the Stoat Food Pyramid where chocolate, bacon, steak and whisky reside at the top didn’t make the final cut.”
####
The tiny little top?
You’re no fun.
In the EyeGuy Pyramid of Joy and Delight, those things, along with fat black Maduros, make up the BASE of the pyramid.
I’m sure this is produced by Democrats, who have an unerring ability to ignore real problems (the economy, terrorism, etc.) in favor of slight or non-problems.
You’ve got it right of course; I was thinking in terms of the top being ‘most encouraged’ which is true for the ‘stoat food pyramid’ but opposite of the ‘government pyramid’. ;-)
“snicker”
That just isn't going to happen. Think of these people making beef stew. The liquid is flavorless broth with a half plate of carrots, a couple pieces of potato, and two chicken nugget sized pieces of beef. The people who made this can go play in traffic
Yeah, absorbing all six of those complicated points at one time might make our heads explode.
Do you realize how much contempt these people have for us?
And what is the cost to taxpayers for this tripe?
Depends on whether tripe is on Moochelle’s Approved
New School Lunch Menu
Big Nanny Is Watching You!
Suppose they wouldn't cut WAY BACK on food stamps and welfare would they?....then, a lot of the OBESITY problem would go away!!!
Absolutely nothing coming from this Gestapo Government is anything I would believe or care to hear about.
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