New Nutritional Icon Unveiled

June 2, 2011, Washington, D.C. In a very back-to-basics move, the USDA has scrapped the often maligned food pyramid for a cleanly-designed plate icon that illustrates for consumers important takeaways from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines.

Reporters covering the new icon should use Jennifer McGuire MS, RD (manager of nutrition communication with the National Fisheries Institute and author of BlogAboutSeafood.com) when asking where seafood fits on this plate.

The plate icon and the campaign behind it will be most successful if healthful choices within each section of the plate are distinguished from less healthful choices, said McGuire. The simple and positive swap messages were hearing include choosing fat-free or low-fat instead of regular dairy, water instead of sugary drinks, and seafood in place of other animal proteins.

The updated Dietary Guidelines are very clear in the Foods and Nutrients to Increase section that Americans should increase the amount and variety of seafood consumed by choosing seafood in place of some meat and poultry. For many Americans who didnt grow up eating seafood-rich diets, not knowing how to prepare fish and shellfish is often a barrier to meeting this goal.

USDAs partnership with chefs like White House chef, Sam Kass, will help people learn not only what to eat, but how to eat it, said McGuire. This is essential for meaningful behavior change, especially toward preparing more seafood.

Jennifer McGuire holds a BA in Communication from Southwestern University outside of Austin, an MS in Nutrition Communication from Tufts University in Boston as well as an RD (Registered Dietitian) credential through the University of Delaware.

For more than 60 years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and its members have provided American families with the variety of sustainable seafood essential to a healthy diet. For more information visit: www.AboutSeafood.com.