MY PLATE:
FOR THE ELDERLY
Presented by: Molly Sandmann & Ashley O’Brien
Concepts to understand
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History behind myPyramid
The transformation into myPlate
Realizing there is myPlate for the elderly
How to use myPlate for the elderly to inform
family/clients about their nutritional care
History
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Wilbur Olin Atwater, Ph.D. (1)
In 1917, the first USDA food guide appeared. It was titled
“How to Select Foods” and was written by Caroline Hunt, a
nutritionist for the USDA. (1)
 Foods recommended came in 5 groups:
1. milk and meat
2. cereals
3. vegetables and fruit
4. fats and fatty foods
5. sugars and sugary foods. (1)
History continued...
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1943: created the National Wartime Nutrition
Guide (1)
1946: National Nutrition Guide
 This
guide offered 7 food groups which supported the
RDA requirements:
 Milk
and milk products
 Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, peas and nuts
 Bread, flour and cereals
 Leafy green and yellow vegetables
 Potatoes and sweet potatoes
 Citrus, tomato, cabbage, salad greens
 Butter, fortified margarine (1)
History continued…
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1956, because of the confusion, the multiple food
group recommendations were revised to the "Basic
Four" recommendation. (1)
1992: USDA Food Pyramid (1)
The latest development in the USDA Food Pyramid
history has seen the pyramid dismantled in favor of
the new and "easier" to understand USDA "My
Plate.“ (1)
MyPlate
Stated clear and concise
Simple & easy to read
Need: fruits, vegetables, grains,
protein, and dairy to drink
Shows certain sizes of each
MyPlate for the elderly
Activity box
More choices for fluids
½ for fruits & vegetables
¼ grains
¼ protein
Middle section for good fats
& oils
Convenient, affordable, &
readily available
What is the difference?
MyPlate
 Confusing portions
 Unclear of certain
types of food
 No activity
recommendation
MyPlate for Elderly
 Pictures of food
 Activity box
 Liquids can be
considered anything
 Shows examples &
choices
All the Amenities
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Bright colored vegetables
Deep colored fruits
Whole, enriched grains
Low and non-fat dairy
Dry beans and nuts
Liquid vegetable oils
Plenty of fluids
Exercise is important
Super tracker (3)
Super Tracker
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Super Tracker can help you plan, analyze, and
track your diet and physical activity. Find out what
and how much to eat; track foods, physical
activities, and weight; and personalize with goal
setting, virtual coaching, and journaling. (3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MukLDO5kGh8
Serving Sizes
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3 oz. of meat = deck of cards
½ cup = ½ a baseball
1 teaspoon = tip of finger
2 tablespoons = ping pong ball
1 cup of cereal = fist
1 pancake = DVD
Patient
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65 year old man
Diagnosed with Cardiovascular disease
Recently became pre-diabetic
Lives at home with wife
Family lives relatively close
Sedentary lifestyle
MyPlate for patient
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Low cholesterol
Low-fat dairy products/oils
Low sodium
Limit red meats
Sugar-free
Fluid intake
Consume whole grains
Raise in activity level (2)
How you can help
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Concepts to question:
 Are
the elderly individuals in your life aware of
myPlate?
 Do they understand its value and use?
 Will you be able to teach them how to use it properly?
 Are they aware of the activity factor that ties into
myPlate and their health?
 How will you as an RD take this information and put it
into action?
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
www.nutrition.tufts.edu. Tufts University (2012): [cited April 18, 2013]
Available from: http://www.healthy-eating-politics.com/usda-foodpyramid.html
www.choosemyplate.gov. USDA. (2010): [Cited April 18, 2013]
Available from: www.choosemyplate.gov
www.choosmyplate.gov. USDA. (2010): [Cited April 18. 2013]
Available from: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertrackertools/supertracker.html
www.nia.nih.gov. National Institute On Aging. (March 26, 2013): [Cited
April 18. 2013] Available from:
http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/healthy-eating-after-50
5.
Grossman A. Eating Right for Aging Gracefully. Tufts University Health
& Nutrition Letter. (2012, Feb), [cited April 19, 2013]; 29(12): 4-5.