WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2007 -- Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner today announced the launch of a new MyPyramid web site designed specifically for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The new interactive guidance, found at MyPyramid.gov, provides unique, individualized nutrition guidance to meet the needs of expectant and new moms.

"The Department of Agriculture and the George Washington University Medical Center are pleased to announce this valuable on-line tool to assist pregnant and nursing mothers with easy access to important nutrition information," said Conner. "During this time of life, proper nutrition for mom and baby are critical. This tool will also be helpful to obstetricians and other health care providers. I am confident this addition to MyPyramid will be put to good use, based on the more than 3.9 billion hits to MyPyramid web sites since our 2005 launch."

"The American Dietetic Association commends USDA for developing this valuable tool," said registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association President Connie B. Diekman. "MyPyramid for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding will provide registered dietitians with a valuable tool to use as they help women obtain the best possible nutrition for themselves and for their children."

Developed by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, in conjunction with the Food and Nutrition Service's Women, Infants and Children Program and the Department of Health and Human Services, this new web site provides nutrition guidance consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Obtaining a personalized "MyPyramid Plan for Moms" requires only a few steps. A pregnant woman enters her age, height, pre-pregnancy weight, physical activity level, and due date. A breastfeeding woman enters similar information and the baby's birth date. Breastfeeding women will also select if they are feeding their baby breast milk only or supplementing with formula. Following these entries, a personalized MyPyramid Plan for Moms will be provided on their computer screen which can be downloaded as a full-color printout.

Following the original 2005 release of MyPyramid.gov, which contained the MyPyramid Plan and MyPyramid Tracker, USDA launched MyPyramid for Kids and the Spanish language MiPiramide. The web site announced today, MyPyramid for Moms, is the first addition to MyPyramid developed specifically for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Within the next few months, USDA plans to release another on-line tool known as MyPyramid Menu Planner. The Menu Planner will be a simple, easy to use meal planning tool based on MyPyramid recommendations that will provide users with real-time feedback on planned food choices.

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Transcript of Remarks by Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner at the Launch of MyPyramid for Pregnant and Nursing Moms