When I saw the Nutri-Plate my first thought was that we should all be eating off of one. Even though most of us know how our portions should look it's easier in theory than it is in practice, so this plate seems like a great way to help kids to establish healthy habits.
The colorful design delivers clear visual information and text about healthy eating, and it's backed up by good ideas and solid research. Developed in consultation with children and families from Chicago's south side, the plate's creators sought to provide clear cues to promote healthy food choices. It's cute and BPA-free, and a percentage of profits goes to the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children.
Learn more and purchase ($11.95) at Nutri-Plate.
(Image: Nutri-Plate)
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I hate it.
My daughter has the protein and grains portions down but we're still working on that veggie one.
Wow merm, very strong words for a plate.
I don't think I would use this, I think I can handle portion control (and maybe I have fallen in love with my stoneware plates that I use them as much as possible)
I do like that donations are going towards stopping obesity in children though, and i have met some families that could really use a guideline.
I want this! :)
I love my plates too much, but I am seriously tempted. Personally, I need all the help I can get with portion control. I wouldn't buy this for my kid, but for my husband and me!
... inspiring kids to eat healthier... i think it is a great idea!
Ugh. Meals are about family, enjoying food together, and conversation--not about being nagged by some omnipresent figure about how much you should be eating of what.
Huh. Doesn't appeal to me at all.
Anyone else see the broccoli butt? *smirk*
Wow - who woulda guessed there'd be such impassioned responses to a plate?!
I have a lot of trouble getting my son to eat veggies so I don't need this plate to remind me and I'm certainly not gonna start using it for dinner service.
But I would love it as my own personal lunch plate - a cute way to help me keep on track.
I love this idea. For many children this will be a wonderful teaching tool on a healthy way to eat for life.
That plate doesn't leave much room for cheese :(
Although, if you cover the veggies in cheese... that solves the problem.
Children don't need to be harassed about healthy eating habits at an early age! They need to be given the right foods in the right portions and to be able to trust that we, the adults, will guide them to eat the right things without over-intellectualizing something so basic as eating.
I think this is a cute and easy way to teach and remember nutrition and portions! I don't see at all how this is over-intellectuallizing or harassing. Just reminding what's important. Kids are very very visual.
hmmm . . . if the text was shortened to just the food item, i.e. "veggies", "protein" etc. it would be more interesting and the message would probably be more powerful . . .
This plate initiates conversation with my young children about not only portion control but what is a vegetable, why you want to eat a lot of it, etc. It has been a great learning tool in our busy household.
We love this plate! My sons (ages 5 and 2) often choose these plates at dinner time. I've been called out when I don't have something to put in one section: "Hey - where are my grains, mom?"
I featured this plate on my website last fall as well: http://www.weeklygreens.com/category/fall_2010/sweet-potato/
It's a great conversation-starter at the table and educational for even those of us who know better but need a reminder!