Start the New Year Strong: Build Healthy Habits with MyPlate
As a new year unfolds, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reset, and recommit to habits that support our long-term health and well-being. At Legacy, we know that small, sustainable changes — especially around nutrition — can transform your life one day, one meal, and one choice at a time. That’s where MyPlate.gov comes in — a trusted, practical resource you can use all year long to build healthier eating habits that last.
What Is MyPlate?
MyPlate is the USDA’s current nutrition guidance tool — a simple visual cue that divides your plate into five essential food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. Whether you’re eating from a plate, bowl, or on the go, MyPlate gives you an easy, science-based way to make balanced food choices every day. (MyPlate)
It’s not a restrictive diet. Instead, MyPlate encourages variety, moderation, and balance — all keys to lifelong health.
Why Start with Nutrition This New Year?
Good nutrition is the foundation of energy, immunity, mood, and long-term health. When you make healthful eating a priority, you set yourself up for success in other areas of life — productivity, sleep, fitness, and mental clarity. And the best part? You don’t have to overhaul everything at once.
Use MyPlate Tools to Build Healthy Habits
MyPlate.gov isn’t just a static guide — it’s an interactive toolkit full of resources that makes building healthy habits fun, adaptable, and personalized.
🥗 Personalized Nutrition Planning
Use the MyPlate Plan to determine what and how much you should eat, based on your age, sex, height, weight, and activity level. This personalized plan helps you make choices that fit your life and goals. (MyPlate)
🤔 MyPlate Quiz — Self-Check Your Eating Habits
Not sure where to start? The MyPlate Quiz is a quick, no-stress way to see how your current habits stack up and get tailored tips for improvement. (MyPlate)
📱 Start Simple with MyPlate App
Want to set daily food goals and track your progress? The Start Simple with MyPlate app makes it easy to build healthy routines with goals you can actually achieve. (MyPlate)
📚 Printable Tip Sheets and Infographics
Need simple, actionable guidance for real life — on a budget or with a picky eater? MyPlate offers printable tips on meal planning, snacking smart, cutting back on added sugars, and more, perfect for keeping on your fridge or sharing with family. (MyPlate)
🍽 MyPlate Kitchen — Recipes & Meal Ideas
Looking for easy, delicious meals that match your goals? The MyPlate Kitchen section is packed with recipes you can tailor to your budget and tastes, making healthy eating practical and exciting. (MyPlate)
Healthy Eating, Bite by Bite
The beauty of MyPlate is its approachability. Rather than strict rules, it offers simple visuals and achievable goals that help you make progress without perfection. By using these tools, you can track habits, learn about balanced meals, and discover ways to make every bite count — a philosophy that fits perfectly with Legacy’s mission of sustainable, whole-life health.
As MyPlate itself puts it: “Healthy eating is important at every age — and small changes add up over time.” (MyPlate)
Tips to Get Started Today
✔ Fill half your plate with fruits and veggies
✔ Choose whole grains when possible
✔ Mix up your protein sources (beans, lean meats, nuts)
✔ Watch added sugars and saturated fats
✔ Stay consistent — not perfect
Final Thought
This New Year, let’s shift the focus from drastic resolutions to sustainable habits. With MyPlate and its suite of supportive tools, you can take actionable steps to improve your nutrition — and in doing so, strengthen your foundation for health, wellness, and vitality throughout the year.
We’ve provided several quick links to top resources found on the MyPlate site, but take time on your own to explore the site throughly and discover resources specific to your family and lifestyle.
Being healthy and independent isn’t just about eating right. Our Pathways to Independence programs provide innovative approaches and practical solutions for a range of patient stages and conditions.
Click to learn how Legacy Home Health Care can ensure that your loved ones stay safe, healthy, and happy in their own homes via our Pathways to Independence programs.
