First Lady Michelle Obama replaced food pyramid with the plate

After almost two decades, the USDA food pyramid is history. First Lady Michelle Obama today unveiled the USDA's update on America's visual nutrition guide, replacing the familiar - and much maligned - pyramid with a plate.

The new design incorporates seven key dietary messages:
- Enjoy your food, but eat less
- Avoid oversized portions
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks
- Make at least half your grains whole grains
- Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk
- Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals - and choose the foods with lower numbers.

CBS      New York Daily News      USDA Choose My Plate

As a former Home Economics teacher, I can't resist posting this dramatic change in the

USDA recommended guidelines.   This change is consistent with Michelle Obama's

childhood obesity focus.

Not everyone agrees that the food pyramid should go, but looking at the obesity rate

in the United States, not only in adults, but also children and teenagers, it would appear

the "former" food pyramid was not creating a healthy nation.

There have been numerous changes to the food pyramid over the years and CBS has

a picture/image history of some of the changes to the USDA food pyramid guidelines.

In my opinion, the USDA guidelines have not been a guiding force in most people's eating

habits in the past, but maybe this new change that initially appears easier to understand

for both children and adults, will actually impact America's eating habits.