Kids Get Their Own Food Guide

USDA Secretary Mike Johanns on Sept. 28 unveiled a new child-friendly version of the MyPyramid Food Guidance System called MyPyramid for Kids.

MyPyramid for Kids, which targets children 6- to 11-years old, includes a child-friendly graphic symbol, educational lesson plans for grades 1-6, and an interactive game.  The guidance within MyPyramid for Kids is consistent with the science-based recommendations released earlier this year in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid, but the information is designed to be age-appropriate and visually appealing to reach children. Like MyPyramid for adults, the MyPyramid for Kids symbol represents the recommended proportion of food to consume each day from each food group and emphasizes the importance of making smart food choices and being physically active every day.

•     Lean beef naturally fits within the MyPyramid for Kids guidance. Today’s beef is leaner than ever before and naturally rich in nine essential nutrients that fuel healthy growth and development and active lives.

•     MyPyramid for Kids emphasizes the basics: within calorie needs, keep good nutrition simple by enjoying foods that are rich in essential nutrients first from the five food groups.