MyPlate Q&A Series Continues!

Q: I eat smaller meals and snacks throughout the day instead of 3 large meals, do I need to have all of the MyPlate food groups each time I eat?

A: The MyPlate place setting is a visual guide or model for healthy eating.  The model is designed to encourage you to eat the recommended amount from each of the food groups.  Even if your plate does not look exactly like MyPlate 100% of the time, strive to get the right balance of each food group over the course of the day.  For example, to get the amount of vegetables you need, it is helpful to include a salad or carrot sticks and humus or other vegetables throughout the day.  Whether you eat 3 main meals or smaller meals, most people rarely include enough foods from the fruit, vegetable, whole grain or dairy groups and MyPlate is a constant reminder to include them at meals, small or large, whenever possible.