Eat Smart with MyPlate and the Nutrition Facts Label
EFNEP Piney Grove Parent Meeting Update
At the recent Piney Grove Parent Meeting, families learned how to use two important tools—MyPlate and the Nutrition Facts Label—to help make healthier food choices and fuel their bodies with the nutrients needed for good health.
Just like a car owner uses an owner’s manual to ensure proper fuel and maintenance, MyPlate and the Nutrition Facts Label serve as guides to help families make informed decisions about the foods they eat every day. These tools help individuals choose foods that support energy, growth, and long-term health (U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA], 2024).
Participants explored how to use the Nutrition Facts Label to identify key nutrients, including fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The Nutrition Facts Label helps consumers choose foods lower in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, and higher in dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium—nutrients important for overall health (FDA, 2024).
Families also learned that healthy fats, such as those found in seafood, avocados, and plant-based foods, support heart and brain health. Fiber-rich carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains support digestion and help individuals feel full longer. Lean protein foods help build and maintain muscles and support growth and development (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2020).
Participants were introduced to MyPlate as a simple visual tool to help build balanced meals by including fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. MyPlate encourages individuals to make half their plate fruits and vegetables and vary their protein choices while choosing whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy options (USDA, 2020).
This month, EFNEP participants are continuing their learning by completing the lessons Shop for Value, Check the Facts and Choosing More Fruits and Vegetables, which help families apply these skills to plan healthy meals and make smart shopping decisions.
Participants are encouraged to create their personalized MyPlate Plan
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a free, federally funded program that helps families learn practical skills to eat healthier, stretch their food dollars, increase physical activity, and practice safe food handling.
For more information about EFNEP classes or resources, please contact:
Angie Lawrence
EFNEP Nutrition Educator
NC Cooperative Extension, Brunswick County
References
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). MyPlate Plan.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Using the Nutrition Facts Label and MyPlate to Make Healthier Choices.
