New USDA Food Pyramid Goes Live, Racks Up Web Site Hits

The U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced a new food pyramid April 19, launching an interactive Web site -- MyPyramid.gov -- the same day to highlight the event.

The site logged 48 million hits on launch day and 62 million hits the following day. "The numbers are staggering," said Jackie Haven, project director of the USDA's food guidance system. "It says to us that people are really looking for something like this and our hope is that we're providing information they can use."

Dubbed "MyPyramid," the project replaces the food guide pyramid introduced in 1992 and incorporates recommendations from the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans released by HHS and USDA in January.

"MyPyramid is about the ability of Americans to personalize their approach when choosing a healthier lifestyle that balances nutrition and exercise," said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, J.D., in a press release about the launch.

Interactive technology enables users of the site to enter their age and physical activity level and then see -- immediately -- which one of 12 available dietary models best fits their personal information.

MyPyramid.gov is colorful, easy to navigate and chock-full of useful information, including how to make smart choices from every food group, how to balance food intake and physical activity, and how to get the most nutrition out of calories taken in. A child-friendly version of MyPyramid -- geared to children ages 6 to 11 -- is in development.

The site features a "For Professionals" link to access information geared to physicians and downloadable patient education materials.