WASHINGTON-AFP: The US government has ditched its two-decade old "pyramid" model for healthy eating and introduced a new plate symbol half-filled with fruits and vegetables to urge better eating habits. The colorful design, called MyPlate was unveiled by First Lady Michelle Obama and the secretary of the US
Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.

The plate icon is sectioned into four parts, with fruits and vegetables making up one half and grains and proteins filing the other half. A dairy drink is included alongside.

"MyPlate is an uncomplicated symbol to help remind people to think about their food choices in order to lead healthier lifestyles," said Vilsack. "This effort is about more than just giving information, it is a matter of making people understand there are options and practical ways to apply them to their daily lives."

Obama said the MyPlate icon will be useful in the fight against childhood obesity, but would not be limited to that age group. "It's an image that can be reinforced and practiced at breakfast, lunch, and at dinner, no matter how old we are," said the first lady, who is also an advocate for childhood exercise with her "Let's Move" program.