New Dietary Guidelines: The Top 9 Things You Need to Know

 The New Dietary Guidelines: The Top 9 things You Need to Know

The MyPlate 2015-20 dietary guidelines are described in a colorful and attractive way with upbeat music and strong graphic elements.  The program opens with warnings about diet and disease and then lays out the guidelines in terms of types of foods that should be eaten and those that should be limited.  Of special interest is the section on making healthy fast-food choices, with portion sizes and selection options discussed.  It is suggested that individuals can make small shifts in eating choices that can have big health benefits.  Getting appropriate amounts of physical activity and limiting computer screen time are also encouraged.  Finally, an interactive personalized nutrition and activity program available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website is recommended.  The teacher’s guide includes a variety of activities, including a pretest and a posttest and fact sheets with nutrition and physical activity information.  VERDICT: A useful overview of the MyPlate dietary guidelines for health or physical education classes.-Ann Brownson, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston

School Library Journal

While much of the information presented here is basic common sense, this rehashing of the USDA dietary guidelines and MyPlate schema should be a solid refresher for the target audience of grades 7 through college.  Covering the main points of the 2015-2020 updated information, two hosts guide viewers through topics including the health risks of poor diets (obesity, cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and bone, joint, teeth, and sleep problems), the importance of nutrient-dense foods as illustrated in the MyPlate graphic breakdown (the successor to the former food pyramid), and paying attention to limits on added sugars, sodium and salt, and saturated and trans fats.  Also including sections on healthier fast food choices, making small shifts in habits to reach long-term goals, the importance of physical activity, and the use of the USDA’s SuperTracker tool to help people find the best plans to incorporate culture, taste, traditions, and budgetary concerns, this info-packed program features extras including a PDF teacher’s guide with fact sheets and student activities.  Recommended.  Aud: J, H, C, P. (J. Williams-Wood)

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