You know that food pyramid thing that tells you what to eat in terms of the types of foods you eat and in what portions. That’s officially old school now. Apparently a shiny new plate graphic is what the USDA is pushing these days. If you’re talking in terms of the very latest in health industry trends then now isn’t quite up to date as this was officially introduced on June 2nd of this year.

A new initiative for combating childhood obesity with Michelle Obama at the forefront, called Let’s Move!, showcases this new, simpler visual representation of the USDA’s recommendations as far as our diets go. While the new image for what American’s should be eating has obvious simplicity geared towards our youth, the official website for the new plate icon is called Choose My Plate and is much less “kiddy” (and if you’re interested, have a look at the USDA’s official unveiling via their blog).

What Does The Plate That Tells Us What To Eat Really Mean?

Now, all it takes is a little searching around the internet about this new Choose My Plate icon replacing the old school pyramid in order to realize that there are reactions all across the board related to this new initiative. The only judgement I think worth offering concerning this new icon is that it does simple well and offers a decent picture of what a “healthy” meal looks like.

It’s simplicity and attachment to the youth focused Let’s Move! initiative is where I think it both it excels and fails. This simplicity offers a very easy level of comprehension which is great for its being pushed into our school systems. But a slick little plate isn’t going to do a damn thing for reality. The icon is certainly focused on our unhealthy youth, but our unhealthy youth is surrounded by unhealthy food. Even at the educational level where this kind of initiative aims to plant the seed.

A paradox is what this slick new visual representation of a “good” diet aimed at our youth ultimately is, but it is an effective representation nonetheless in terms of pure concept. The Let’s Move! initiative is also a great concept as promoting healthier living for our children is always a good thing. It’s only when you get analytical and over think the many facets of what is merely a picture making a suggestion provided by the United State’s government that you’ll begin to think up your relative issues with it all.

Screw The Government! Don’t Tell Me What To Eat!

As I mentioned previously, there are all kinds of reactions to this news. And, if you’re at least a little bit interested in this progression of the USDA then I recommend you take a look at CNN’s story, where I initially discovered the news myself. If you look at the comments you’ll get a great taste of all the different opinions people have and how ridiculous some of them are.

The stance I find most entertaining is the typical overly paranoid individual who assumes that any government action directed towards its population is a completely sinister plot to program them into some kind of…who the hell knows what. But seriously, you should be paranoid, I know for a fact that the Let’s Move! program has militaristic undertones…you make up the rest.