I am pleased to report that over two million Americans are now using USDA’s SuperTracker, our online dietary planning and tracking tool!
Today, as never before, our awareness is heightened about the importance of healthy eating. Cookbooks and diet books reign supreme in the bookstores. There are entire TV channels devoted exclusively to food and, of course, stories of too many Twinkies, doughnuts and sodas provide constant fodder for the late night comedians. A day doesn’t go by that new food-related research isn’t released. Diet and health information abound on social media. Grocery stores are constantly adding new, healthier products. And communities across America are trying new and novel approaches to promote healthy eating.
Here at USDA, we’ve taken several steps to support healthier choices. We’ve developed a new MyPlate icon to help nudge all Americans toward healthier choices. We’re making the school environment healthier through changes to breakfast, lunch and snacks served in school. And the First Lady herself has been encouraging kids to eat healthy and be active through the Let’s Move! campaign (and showcasing stories from across the country about schools serving healthier meals on the Let’s Move! blog!).
From my perspective, it’s very encouraging to know that so many people are taking advantage of SuperTracker to build healthier diets and improve their overall health. Word of the SuperTracker is obviously getting out—the number of users has doubled in the last six months and it continues to grow. If you haven’t signed up, I encourage you to give it a try—whether it’s your first step towards a healthier lifestyle or merely reaffirming the healthy choices you’re already making, SuperTracker and all of the tools our Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion has to offer (check out the Food-A-Pedia) can help you stay on track.
