Missouri Beef Industry Council | Recipes and Cooking

The MyPyramid graphic that has replaced the old Food Guide Pyramid is designed to encourage Americans to put more power on their plates and get more active. The MyPyramid recommendations include core messages to help you make easier, smarter nutrition choices.

Too many Americans have been eating empty foods and not getting enough meals with nutritional power to boost energy and mood. Consumers should focus on the benefits of essential nutrients, instead of foods that may give us a false sense of energy or pleasure like coffee, soda, refined foods, candy or energy bars.

The MyPyramid's basic suggestion is to fill your plate with nutrient-rich, power foods that provide more nutrients per calorie than most other food options. The recommendations for a typical 2000-calorie diet include choosing:

Two cups of brightly colored fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries and oranges everyday
Two and a half cups of vibrant green, red and orange vegetables like tomatoes, spinach and orange peppers everyday
At least 3 oz. of whole grain or fortified, fiber-rich bread and pasta products everyday
Go for 3 cups of Nonfat or low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt everyday
Eat at least 5 1/2 oz of lean proteins like lean beef, seafood and beans everyday.

Remember to shop the perimeter of the grocery store to find foods with the most nutritional power to fuel healthier, more active lifestyles. Try to paint your plate with brighter colors. Just like colorful fruits and vegetables, redder meat, like lean beef, has more nutrients per serving than many other protein sources.

Everyone is encouraged to visit the new interactive website www.mypyrmid.gov for further personalized recommendations, sample menus and other tips to make sure we are getting the powerful nutrient-rich foods our body needs to stay healthy and active.

To learn more about beef nutrition, nutrient-rich recipes and meal ideas that help you follow the new Food Guide, download the MyPyramid Mini Poster, visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com or our recipe database.