‘My Plate’ replaces ‘My Food Pyramid’ in America’s epic battle against obesity

'My Plate' is the new logo meant to convey the message to Americans to eat healthy foods to fight the obesity epidemic. The new symbol was officially launched on Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture which has replaced the food pyramid symbol.

Health experts have criticized the food pyramid campaign over the years for being confusing and ultimately meaningless for the average American in need of guidance in healthy eating.

Instead of a pyramid with a more complex hierarchy of foods, the 'My Plate' symbol is a much simpler circle with four quadrants representing fruits, vegetables, grains and protein. A smaller circle on the right represents dairy food such as milk or cheese.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that 'My Plate' is not meant to be fully instructional but rather can be treated as a suggestion or a rough guide for eating healthy foods.

"We are not telling people what to eat, we are giving them a guide," Vilsack said. "We're not suggesting they should not have a cookie or dessert, that's not what it's about."

U.S. health officials have stood by the food pyramid symbol for two decades and even modified it later to make it simpler. But with obesity rates climbing and criticism against 'My Pyramid' persisting, officials have acknowledged the symbol did not send the message it was supposed to convey.

"Parents don't have the time to measure out exactly three ounces of protein," First Lady Michelle Obama explained the move to go simple with 'My Plate'. "We do have time to look at our kids' plates."