Moms Talk: MyPlate and Healthy Eating

The pyramid is ancient history.

Make way for the plate.

The United States Department of Agriculture recently did away with the old food pyramid format for showing Americans how to eat a healthy diet. It was replaced with MyPlate, which was created based on 2010 Dietary Guidlines.

MyPlate is designed to be a simpler, more user-friendly approach than the old pyramid. The program also covers recommendations on portion control, cutting back on sugary drinks, and also offers tips for making healthy changes in your diet. Dairy is also de-emphasized, off to the side of the plate.

“This is a quick, simple reminder for all of us to be more mindful of the foods that we’re eating and as a mom, I can already tell how much this is going to help parents across the country,” said First Lady Michelle Obama when MyPlate was unveiled.

Today, let's talk about what's on our plates. What do you do to encourage healthy eating? How do you get everyone to eat something wholesome without turning into a short-order cook? Is breakfast the hardest meal to get something healthy into your kids, or is it supper?

Share tips and ideas for getting something healthy into your children. Have you made any small changes in your family's diet, like switching to whole-wheat bread for sandwiches or replacing soda with water at meals?

Talk about your kids' favorite healthy foods, and what they won't eat no matter what. Is it still a good, healthy vegetable serving if it's covered in a half-cup of ranch dressing or cheese sauce?

Talk amongst yourselves in the comments.

Joining us, as always, is our terrific Moms Council.

 is our parenting columnist. Julie, a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in November.

 works in healthcare. She and husband Timothy have a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

 is a mom of three children ages 5 and under with her husband, Bill. She also works part-time.

 is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

 is a mom to a Girl Scout and lives in Avon.

 is president of Avon Early Childhood PTA. She will also be blogging for Avon Patch. If you're a parent and want to share your experiences raising children in Avon, you, too, can .