Congratulations to everyone who joined us for the MyPlate New Year’s Challenge! Over the course of these last five weeks, participants incorporated each of the MyPlate food groups - dairy, fruits, vegetables, protein foods, and grains - into their days in an effort to find and maintain a healthy eating style while being physically active. Over 400 people took on the MyPlate-sponsored challenge, and many others used SuperTracker to host their own challenges. To all of you we say, “Way to go!” You all proved that making small changes to your daily routine can lead to big wins for your health.
Now that you’ve mastered the challenge, it’s important to continue using the lessons you’ve learned to maintain your healthy eating solutions. What tips, tricks, and real solutions did you discover and utilize to fit all five MyPlate food groups into your meals? That’s what MyPlate, MyWins is all about – finding a healthy eating style that works best for you and your family.
Corey, a Nutritionist on the MyPlate team, incorporated MyPlate into her daily life by keeping her kids involved in meal prep. She says, “With hectic schedules, dinnertime is always a little crazy! Giving my kids something to help prepare keeps them occupied and gets them interested in trying their own creation. Surprisingly, salad prep is their favorite job because they can mix and match lots of colors!" Like Corey, you can find real solutions that become habits for you and your family! For more tips from our team, and share your real solutions for a healthy new year on social media using #MyPlateMyWins, please visit ChooseMyPlate.gov’s Stories from Families and Individuals page.
You started 2017 on the right track; now keep up the momentum! Use USDA’s SuperTracker to keep yourself accountable. You can track your progress by logging your food and physical activity every day. SuperTracker’s Food Tracker tool will allow you to see how your food choices stack up to your food group targets and daily limits. The Food-A-Pedia feature can help you compare your favorite foods’ nutrition information to see what you’re really eating and find healthier alternatives that taste just as good! If you thrive off of competition, take advantage of SuperTracker’s custom challenge tool and keep the spirit of the MyPlate New Year’s Challenge alive. Build your own healthy eating and physical activity challenge for you, your friends, family members, a youth group, or a classroom.
We’re already six weeks into the New Year; keep using your real solutions to make healthy choices. Let MyPlate, MyWins continue to guide you in your journey towards healthy eating this year and into the future. For more healthy eating tips and resources, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov, follow MyPlate on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for email updates.