Our MyPlate for Summer series continues with one big question… WHY? Why follow this guide to balanced eating patterns?

The first answer is simple: MyPlate is great for your health.

Our initial installment covered this topic in more depth, but, if you’d like the short version, following MyPlate can help reduce your risk of heart disease (especially heart attack and stroke), certain cancers, anemia, and even osteoporosis. It can also help with weight management, digestion, immune strength, and muscle function (source).

There’s a lot more to it than that.

MyPlate makes it easy to eat seasonally, which can connect you to the best-tasting and often most affordable produce. Summer produce is varied and delicious, which makes this season the perfect time to start adding more fruits and vegetables to your plates.

Farmer’s Markets and local grocery stores that specialize in seasonal produce often feature sustainable protein and dairy foods too. And speaking of sustainability, eating local foods can reduce your carbon footprint (no need to ship that spinach in from overseas), which is great for the earth and therefore your long-term health.

Did we mention it’s cheaper? MyPlate has all kinds of great resources for eating healthfully on a budget (check them out!) including a recipe archive of healthy, affordable meals that follow MyPlate’s portions and proportions.

So buckle up! Next week we start moving through the food groups one by one. We’re going to dig deep and show you exactly how to make the most of MyPlate for Summer.

References:

1. https://www.foodandhealth.com/blog-free/myplate-for-summer

2. https://www.myplate.gov/

3. https://www.myplate.gov/app/shopsimple?utm_source=shop-simple

4. https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-kitchen