USDA Nutrition Messages

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has replaced the Food Pyramid with a plate, MyPlate, that shows the types and quantities of food we should be eating to have a healthy diet. In its most simple terms, MyPlate gives the following advice:

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 on food labels, in foods like soup, bread and frozen meals and choose foods with the lower numbers.
  • Drink water instead of sugary drinks
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Fruits Grains
Protein Vegetables
Dairy

Nutrition

Six of the ten leading causes of death in the United States are linked to a poor diet. The New York State Department of Health Division of Nutrition's goal is to improve the health of New Yorkers through prevention, providing nutritious foods and educating people about making smart nutrition choices.

Providing good nutrition for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and preschool children; school-age children in high-risk areas; people in need of emergency food assistance; adults at risk for chronic disease; persons with AIDS; the frail elderly and children up to age 18 and the functionally impaired adults that are in day care are the main focus of the Division of Nutrition.

The Division of Nutrition has many programs in place to help achieve these goals and to reach as many people that qualify for these programs, as possible.

Nutrition Programs

Nutrition-Related Information