Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns unveiled MyPyramid on April 19, 2005. MyPyramid, which replaces the Food Guide Pyramid introduced in 1992, is part of an overall food guidance system that emphasizes the need for a more individualized approach to improving diet and lifestyle.

In a press release dated April 19, the USDA stated, "MyPyramid incorporates recommendations from the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in January. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide authoritative advice for people two years of age and older about how proper dietary habits can promote health and reduce the risk of major chronic diseases. MyPyramid was developed to carry the messages of the dietary guidelines and to make Americans aware of the vital health benefits of simple and modest improvements in nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle behavior."

As part of this initiative, the USDA has launched an interactive website at www.mypyramid.gov which allows people to customize their eating plan based on their age, gender and activity level.

Tips for Staying (or Getting) Healthy Eat fruits and vegetables multiple times a day (at least 9 servings). Stretch your creativity by tasting a new fruit or vegetable each week. Search our website for tasty recipes. Stretch and exercise a little every day (start with 30 minutes a day). Eat a variety of foods every day. Focus on making changes, a little at a time.

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