Your dinner plate is probably shaped like a circle, not a triangle. So it makes sense to think about your family’s food choices as parts of a circle, too. That’s the practical idea behind the government’s MyPlate icon, which replaces MyPyramid. With MyPlate, what you see in the icon directly relates to what you put on your table.

MyPlate is a simple visual reminder to build yourself a healthy plate at mealtimes. Just remember these basic rules of thumb:

• Make half the plate fruits and vegetables — heavier on the veggies. Include red, orange and dark green vegetables and colorful fruits.
• Make the other half grains and protein. Emphasize 100 percent whole grains, like whole-grain breads, brown rice and pasta. Select fish and beans for some of your protein. And when you pick poultry or meat as your protein food, choose lean cuts in small portions.
• Pour a glass of fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk. You’ll get as much calcium and other important nutrients as from whole milk, but with less fat and calories.
• Keep portions sensible. Think small dinner plate, not supersized platter.

Step up to the plate
For personalized recommendations on what to eat and how much, go to www.choosemyplate.gov and click on Interactive Tools.