Easy new nutrition guidelines from the USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) just announced their NEW food pyramid - and surprise, it's not a pyramid at all, but a plate that makes healthy eating easier than ever. The new plate spells out how to make smarter food choices, simply by separating your plate into food areas. The USDA has also released some easy to follow tips (shown below): Balancing Calories

• Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce

• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, your nutritional needs will be slightly different from other folks. The USDA has also released some new healthy eating tips for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The USDA recommends visiting a health care professional early and often. Not only because prenatal care is important for a healthy baby, but also because your midwife or doctor can discuss a healthy nutritional plan with you, and if needed, prescribe a safe vitamin and mineral supplement. Next the USDA has an easy to use, Daily Food Plan for Moms. Your personalized plan will show you the foods and amounts that are right for your body during pregnancy or as you're breastfeeding. You can also try the Food Planner for Moms to see how your food choices compare to what you need. [MyPlate icon courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture]