Have you seen the new MyPlate CPE Course yet? My team and I put a lot of time and energy into it and we couldn't be prouder of the result!This course covers...

• A comprehensive guide to each of MyPlate's 5 food groups, including serving size, nutrient profiles, portion recommendations, component analysis, and intake guidelines.
• Analysis of key aspects of MyPlate's advice, along with strategies for putting it into action.
• Multiple meal makeovers that illustrate how to help people shift to healthier eating patterns using MyPlate.
• An exploration of the health impact of MyPlate.
• A guided tour of MyPlate's most useful resources for educators, along with a list of the most helpful materials available for free on this site.
• A detailed analysis of USDA food graphics, from MyPlate to its predecessors, accompanied by a comprehensive look at the links between the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate.

The MyPlate CPE course uses videos, articles, and lots of links from the web to offer an in-depth analysis of MyPlate for educators. You really don't want to miss this one!As a special preview, I'd like to share some information about how MyPlate, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the USDA are linked. Check it out!MyPlate's Connections:MyPlate, The USDA, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans:MyPlate and the graphics that came before it are in fact based on the Dietary Guidelines, which are also released by the USDA. These guidelines are published once every five years as required by Congress.The first four versions of the dietary guidelines were all small brochures that aimed their messages at consumers. However, the dietary guidelines released in the year 2000 featured a 39-page document that was both consumer-oriented and a policy document. This change reflected a move by the government toward helping nutrition educators and dietitians.In 2005, a 70-page booklet served solely as a policy document, acknowledging that nutrition educators and policymakers all needed the science—in plain language—that would serve as the foundation for their work. A search and review of the scientific literature served as the basis for these guidelines. That is the standard that we now use today!A Guideline Timeline:Creating new guidelines begins with chartering the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, then continues with a series of public meetings to review the science. The committee drafts a report, which is submitted to the secretaries of the USDA and HHS. This report is made available for public comment, then reviewed. After that, the USDA and HHS develop a policy document, which is released to the public. As a grand finale, the dietary guidelines are implemented through various federal programs, informing and shaping different health initiatives. MyPlate is one of those resources. It’s part of a larger communications initiative based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to help consumers make better food choices.You can find a copy of this free printable handout below!The fun continues in the members-only post A Brief History of the MyPlate Food Graphic, which features a fun new handout and lots of great facts!And here are some other fantastic MyPlate resources...[shopify embed_type="product" shop="nutrition-education-store.myshopify.com" product_handle="digital-my-plate-poster-and-myplate-foods-digital-picture-show-on-flash-drive" show="all"][shopify embed_type="product" shop="nutrition-education-store.myshopify.com" product_handle="kids-myplate-plate-plastic-nutrition-education-store-exclusive-design-10-plates-with-free-shipping" show="all"][shopify embed_type="product" shop="nutrition-education-store.myshopify.com" product_handle="myplate-dvd-myplate-video" show="all"]