Developing a Nutrition Plan

      Directions for MyPyramid.gov 
       
       

      To obtain your eating plan:

    1. Go to MyPyramid.gov at  http://www.mypyramid.gov/
    2. In the blue sidebar on the left side of the page, click on MyPyramid Plan.
      1. Enter your age
      2. Select your sex using the pull-down menu.
      3. Enter your weight in pounds.
      4. Enter your height, in feet and inches, using the pull-down menu.
      5. Enter the amount of physical activity you typically engage in, using the pull-down menu.
      6. Click the “submit” button.
    3. The program will compute the number of calories needed per day and the number of servings needed per day from the following groups:  grains, vegetables, fruits, milk and meat & beans group.
    4. On the right side of the screen are options to print your results, including worksheets, and an opportunity to obtain more detailed information about your assessment. 
    5. Download the following documents and then upload them to you Google Docs account:
Your Results 

Meal Tracking Worksheet 
 
 

      To assess your intake:

    1. In the side bar on the left side of the page, click on MyPyramid Tracker.
    2. In the Assessment section, click on the title Assess Your Food Intake.
    3. Enter a “User Id.” and a “Password” of your choice.  It is best to choose ones that you will easily remember.  As a precaution, it is best to write these down and keep this information in a safe place.  If using a shared computer, it is best not to allow the internet to remember your password.  [Click “No” at the prompt.]
      1. Enter your age
      2. Select your sex using the pull-down menu.
      3. Enter the date.
      4. Enter your height, in feet and inches (or centimeters).
      5. Enter your weight in pounds (or kilograms).
      6. Click “Save Today’s Changes”, if the information entered should be saved.
      7. Then click on “Proceed to Food Intake”.

      4. Enter your food intake for one day.

      1. Type in one item at a time in the area labeled “Enter Food Item”.
      2. Click on the “Search” button.
        • For example, “eggs”.
      3. A list of options will appear. 
        • Choose the most appropriate of the choices.
        • NOTE: Add frequently-consumed food to your Freq Food list
        • If none of the choices is appropriate, then enter a more specific food item.
          1. For example, enter “scrambled eggs” in the box and click on “Search.”
          2. The appropriate choice for this example is “Egg Omelet or Scrambled Egg”.
      4. Continue entering all food and beverage items that you consumed for the day.  Once all food items have been entered, you will need to enter the serving size for each and the number of servings.
      5. Click on “Save and Analyze”.

      5. A new screen will appear entitled “Analyze Your Food Intake”.  You will need to select among five choices, which appear in boxes going down the page.  Click on one or more of the options.

      1. Meeting 2005 Dietary Guidelines
        • This will provide a comparison of your intake of the food groups with the 2005 recommendations within your energy needs.
      2. Nutrient Intakes
        • This will provide you with a list of the nutrients consumed.
      3. MyPyramid Recommendations
        • This will provide a comparison of your take with the MyPyramid recommendations for your energy level.
      4. Nutrient Information for Dietary Supplements
        • This provides nutritional information for any dietary supplements consumed.
      5. Healthy Eating History
        • This provides a picture over time of your intake, including an average for the days entered.
 
 
 

      Menu Planner:

      The link to the MyPyramid Menu Planner can be found in the bar on the right side of the home page.  The system utilizes the information you entered in the Assessment section above to determine your daily goals. 

      You will need to enter specific foods, one at a time, into the section in the upper left side of the page.  A list of items that contain the food will appear, from which you will select one.  You then select the meal time and any add-ons, such as condiments.  The system calculates and totals your selections by food group and caloric level.  A menu plan is simultaneously formed. 
       
       

      Tips and Resources:

      The link to Tips and Resources is in the bar on the left side of the page.  This section provides suggestions for planning and consuming a healthy diet.  Tips include information on obtaining adequate nutrients and activity as well as food safety.  For example, in the section entitled “Get your calcium rich foods”, information on high calcium non-dairy foods is included for those who choose not to consume dairy products.

Comments