Harvard Researchers Unveil New Healthy Eating Plate

Sept. 15, 2011— -- Although the United States Department of Agriculture unveiled MyPlate, the replacement for the food pyramid, just a few months ago, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health say MyPlate doesn't offer enough about good nutrition, and they've offered their own version.

Harvard unveiled its modified version of the USDA plate, called the Healthy Eating Plate. Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard, says it addresses the shortcomings of MyPlate.

"The main thing is that MyPlate isn't specific enough to really give enough guidance," Willett said.

MyPlate is a USDA resource that offers nutrition recommendations. It's symbolized by a plate with four sections -- fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins -- with an attached glass of milk that the agency says should all be part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Harvard's plate also has the same four sections but with more detailed information on what foods to eat, and which ones to avoid. For example, in place of the grains section, Harvard's includes a whole grains section.

"There's a distinction between any old grains and whole grains," Willett said. Eating too many refined grains, such as white bread and white rice, can increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, he said.

Other differences include an explanation of what proteins are healthy -- poultry, fish, beans and nuts -- emphasizing the need for healthy fats, such as olive and canola oils and explaining that potatoes aren't a healthy vegetable choice.

Harvard's plate also replaces milk with water and recommends only one to two servings a day of low-fat milk.

"Modest dairy consumption is OK, but having a glass of milk wtih every meal is exessive and does not reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures," Willett said.

The USDA has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Thumbs Up From Some Nutritionists

When the USDA unveiled its plate in June, nutrition experts praised it for its simplicity and for emphasizing the importance of key food groups, such as fruits and vegetables. While they say it's an improvement over the food pyramid, some also support Harvard's changes, saying the alternative plate offers more specific information about what to eat and what to avoid and also makes healthy recommendations.

"The Harvard plate ... is detailed in its recommendations, differentiating among foods in a given caterogy and more importantly, it is explicit about foods not to eat," said Dr. David Katz, founding director of theYale University Prevention Research Center.

"I believe whole grains and fiber are very important to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health," said Paul Ehrmann, founder and medical director of Family Health Care Center in Royal Oak, Mich. "It's also beneficial with weight management."

"This would be the type of diet that would reduce obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia [an abnormal level of fats and/or cholesterol in the blood] and cardiovascular diseases," said Dr. Carl Lavie, a cardiologist at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, although he said he doesn't see the harm in additional servings of low-fat milk.

Dr. Donald Hensrud, the chairman of preventive, occupational and aerospace medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., also supports the changes and said the Mayo Clinic offered a revised food pyramid several years ago with similar elements. The main difference, Hensrud said, is that Mayo's pyramid has an allowance for 75 calories worth of sweets per day.

Are Recommendations Too Complicated?

Other experts, however, expressed worry that Harvard's model is too complex.

"People struggle to make changes, so simple steps make changes seem less daunting," said Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis. "Healthy eating is about proper food choices and portions, along with enjoyment -- not fear or avoidance."

"Perhaps we should aim to show a breakfast plate, lunch plate, snack plate or in some cases, a bowl to illustrate the concept, i.e., a turkey wrap with roasted veggies and an apple embraces the plate, but in one item," said Leslie Bonci, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She believes visual elements are more effective.

Others disagree with some of Harvard's dietary recommendations.

"Not everyone needs whole grains with every meal," said Molly Kimball, sports and lifestyle nutritionist at Elmwood Fitness Center in New Orleans. "If they get penty of fiber-rich veggies and they have the carbs from fresh fruit and/or low-fat dairy, they may not need to double up on the carbs/calories of a whole grain starch."

"Milk and dairy should not be limited for children, women and for the elderly. Low fat types of dairy should instead be chosen," said Carla Wolper, assistant professor of eating disorders research at Columbia University.

But Willett believes the Healthy Eating Plate will ultimately lead people to make better choices.

"There is a huge amount of data to support the benefits of healthy food choices, and they make a very, very big difference in people's health," he said.