By Diann Douglas
Guest Columnist
Just in time to help with New Year’s resolutions to eat healthy and be more physically active, the USDA just launched a new online program called SuperTracker.
This state-of-the art resource is available at ChooseMyPlate.gov; it is designed to assist individuals working on health changes in their lives.
The Myplate website is an updated version of the old MyPryamid. It provides practical information to individuals, health professionals, nutrition educators and the food industry to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutrition education and other user-friendly nutrition information. Since Americans are experiencing epidemic rates of overweight and obesity, the online resources and tools can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families and children.
A recent task force on childhood obesity reported simple actionable advice for consumers was needed. The US Department of Agriculture’s response was to launch MyPlate and this new computer tool; all part of the effort to provide easy to understand information to help consumers adopt healthy eating habits consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
SuperTracker, the new tool on the website, is designed to assist Americans at all stages of life improve their overall health and well-being as they input dietary and physical activity choices into the tool. Individuals can set up an account to log in daily food choices and physical activity. The program will personalize how much food to eat according to your weight and activity. Other features that are helpful are goal setting, virtual coaching, weight tracking and journaling. Once a consumer sets up a personal account, it can be accessed any time of the day to track progress.
So many people start out the New Year with great intentions, only to slip by the time February arrives. SuperTracker is a great tool to help keep you on target with New Year’s resolutions to improve your food choice, stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight.
For more information on food and nutrition, contact the Madison County Extension Service.
The University of Florida Extension/IFAS Madison County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.
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