MyPlate for Better Health:  Learn how to improve your health with MyPlate and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Every five years an expert committee of doctors, scientists and nutrition experts is convened by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This committee reviews and analyzes the most current scientific information on diet and heath. They then publish an updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

These guidelines provide information and advice that can help the public make informed food choices. They encourage all of us to eat nutrient dense foods and to achieve ‘calorie balance for a healthy weight. To help Americans more easily understand and adopt the new dietary guidelines, the USDA has replaced the longstanding food pyramid with a new healthy food symbol called ‘MyPlate’. Read more...

Top 10 Reasons to Get Active This Spring:

MyPlate is a great guide for healthy eating. But healthy food is only part of healthy living. Physical activity is also essential to health and well being. Getting active has many benefits:

1. Boost energy - Regular exercise helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently, which helps boost your energy levels.

2. Reduce stress - Exercise helps you relax after a stressful day. Take a 30 minute walk, or work out at the gym to unwind.

3. Get stronger - Exercise can improve your strength and endurance. Start gradually, stick with it and eventually you'll get stronger.

4. Sleep well - A good night's sleep can set the tone for your day. Fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly with
regular exercise that's not too close to your bedtime.

Top 10 Reasons to Get Active This Spring - Continued:

5. Lose weight - Regular exercise is a must for calorie balance. When you burn more calories than you need,
the pounds begin to melt away.

6. Keep weight off - Studies show that sticking with your exercise routine is the key to avoid regaining the weight that you worked so hard to shed.

7. Boost self esteem - When you lose weight and gain muscle tone, you feel better about your appearance, as well as your health.

8. Get happy - Studies show that exercise releases brain chemicals that improve your mood.

9. Get Smarter - Some studies show that after exercise students perform better on tests that require focus and attention.

10. Live longer - By exercising regularly for as little as half an hour a day you can reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other diseases and increase your life expectancy.

Whatever reason works for you, take advantage of the great weather to get out, get active and get healthy. For more information about MyPlate and active living go to the new website www.ChooseMyPlate.gov.

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