NRA Works to Support Food Pyramid Replacement, MyPlate

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The National Restaurant Association has become a national strategic partner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion on spreading the word about MyPlate, the new-generation food icon designed to prompt consumers to build healthy plates at meal times.

“The National Restaurant Association applauds the work to create the MyPlate food icon, which gives consumers a clearer idea of how to think of their everyday meal options,” says Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO for the National Restaurant Association. “The Association is proud to partner with this effort and highlight the restaurant industry’s ongoing contributions to ensuring a healthier America.”

As a national strategic partner on MyPlate communications, the National Restaurant Association will work with USDA to promote the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans with easy-to-understand, action-oriented messages.

The Association is already taking an active role in addressing today’s healthy living challenges. As part of that commitment, the Association has been a participating member of the Dietary Guidelines Alliance, a partnership among leading health organizations and trade associations dedicated to providing consumers with concrete, practical advice on how to apply the guidelines to their lives.

In addition, the National Restaurant Association recently launched the “Kids LiveWell” initiative. The nutrition criteria established for the program is based on the recommendations from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, qualifying the Association as a national strategic partner of MyPlate. The first-of-its kind voluntary initiative shows the restaurant industry’s commitment to offering healthful menu items for children.

“Becoming a strategic partner of MyPlate is a natural fit since our ‘Kids LiveWell’ program focuses on providing nutrient rich menu options including, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, and limiting unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium,” says Joy Dubost, PhD RD, director of nutrition and healthy living for the National Restaurant Association.

“Kids LiveWell” launched July 13 with more than 15,000 restaurant locations offering healthful menu items nationwide.