= Full article availableGetting with the program
To make the most of the new MyPyramid program, you need to have access to the Internet—at home, from the office or via your public library. Some critics have carped at the Web-powered aspect of MyPyramid, but the public has clicked right in at a rate far greater than expected: “We’d anticipated a lot of traffic, and prepared for 5 million hits in the first 24 hours,” says Hentges. “But it appears that we got 60 million hits the first day. The format we chose is obviously a format desired by the public.”
To get started, go online to www.mypyramid.gov. In the boxes on the right side of the screen, fill in your age, select your gender and pick your typical daily level of moderate to vigorous physical activity (less than 30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, more than 60 minutes). That will take you to one of the 12 pyramid versions, ranging from 1,000-3,200 daily calories, best matching your needs. You can print out your customized pyramid and use it as a dietary guide, not only daily but weekly. Note the tips within each food group, particularly vegetables, where your daily diet is extended to a weekly regimen designed to “vary your veggies.”
“From previous consumer research, we knew we had to individualize and personalize the guidance,” says Hentges. “This gives you your pyramid, so you don’t have to interpret anything. This is a food pattern for you.”
When you print out your personalized plan, you’ll also notice another improvement from the old pyramid: Confusing references to “servings” or “portions” have been replaced by familiar measures such as cups and ounces. Says Hentges, “Your portion might be different from my portion. We got really strong feedback to switch to household measures.” (If you’re still confused, the Web site includes photos that show recommended portion sizes on the plate.)
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