Dr. Eric Hentges

How do you recommend people get started using MyPyramid?
We have interactive tools on the Web site, MyPyramid.gov, with different levels of information.

• The first introductory tool is very simple. Put in your age and gender, select one of three physical activity levels and print out a MyPyramid Plan that's appropriate for you.
• You can print a worksheet and chart your foods and physical activity for one week. The MyPyramid Plan allows you to see, for example, that "I didn't have any dairy," or "I didn't have any fruit." Seeing and charting your food intake and activity level makes it more real and allows you to track your progress. We know from research that successfully improving dietary habits and physical activity levels, requires monitoring progress over time - whether it's with a pedometer, a food diary or some other monitoring device.
• There's also a more advanced, interactive MyPyramid Tracker. You can add height and weight, and assess your diet and physical activity against the MyPyramid patterns, Dietary Guidelines, Dietary Reference Intakes, and other standards. The MyPyramid Tracker contains 8,000 foods and 600 physical activities that you can enter into the Tracker.

Why doesn't MyPyramid show pictures of food with daily recommendations?
The MyPyramid symbol is designed as a motivational reminder to eat healthy and be active. Our research shows that people don't know what a "serving" is. Sometimes they can quote the number of servings, but believe that whatever portion is on their plate is a serving. So we have shifted from "servings" to common household measures, such as cups and ounces so they are more easily understood.

How can a parent use MyPyramid as a teaching tool with their kids?
Parents can use the introductory MyPyramid Plan and print worksheets for everyone in the family and put them on the refrigerator. Then see how family meals fulfill their individualized plans and discuss them over the dinner table. Everybody can select a goal and go through the tips-area on the Web site, selecting a change they want to make to meet their goal. The change can be a food modification, a physical activity modification, or both.

USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
9/7/2005

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