Harvard’s Recipe for Healthy Eating

Read Jonathan Shaw’s article on the connection between red meat consumption and diabetes risk in the January-February issue of Harvard Magazine, then explore Harvard’s new Healthy Eating Plate (above).  Created by nutrition experts at Harvard School of Public Health, the new eating guideline was unveiled months ago in response to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) replacement for the food pyramid, My Plate, 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.”

While Harvard's plate also has the same four sections, it offers more detailed information on what foods to eat, and which ones to avoid. For example, in place of the grains section, the Healthy Eating Plate includes a whole grains section. Other differences include an explanation of what proteins are healthy—poultry, fish, beans and nuts—emphasizing the need for healthy fats, such as the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in fish, and the fiber in beans. Harvard's plate also replaces milk with water and recommends only one to two servings a day of low-fat milk, since high intake levels are associated with increased risk of prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer.

For more detailed information on the two eating guidelines, explore this side by side comparison on the Harvard School of Public Health’s website

Click here for the January-February 2012 issue table of contents

You might also like

This Astronomer is Sounding a Warning on 'Space Junk'

As debris accumulates in low Earth orbit, the danger of destructive collisions continues to rise.

Isaac Kohlberg to Step Down as Head of Harvard Technology Development

Partnerships and licensing office could become more critical as funding cuts loom

A Space-Age Project for Harvard’s Plant Collection

Light-based analysis of botanical collections link plants to Earth’s changing climate.

Most popular

See Their Faces

Confronting “some of the most challenging images in the history of photography”

In Federal Court, Harvard and the Government Have Friends

A look at the amicus curiae briefs in Harvard’s funding case

House Committee Subpoenas Harvard Over Tuition Costs

The University must turn over all requested materials related to tuition and financial aid by mid-July. 

Explore More From Current Issue

Harvard Commencement 2025

Harvard passes a test of its values, yet challenges loom.

Your Guide to Summer 2025 Along Boston Harbor

Enjoying the Boston Harbor’s Renaissance This Summer

Filmmaker John Armstrong’s Adventure Documentaries

Filmmaker John Armstrong’s “outdoor adventures” find the human spirit.