First Lady Michelle Obama was joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal officials Thursday for the unveiling of a new food icon today to take the place of the once iconic "food pyramid."

The new "My Plate" design shows food groups and suggested proportions on a plate.

Half is taken up by fruits and vegetables, the other half is split into grains and proteins.

A separate small circle represents one serving of low-fat or fat-free dairy that's recommended for each meal.

The new design is based in part on findings from a White House task force on childhood obesity.

"We realized that we needed something that made sense not just in classrooms or laboratories but at dinner tables and school cafeterias. We needed something useful, something simple," said First Lady Michelle Obama.

"We all talk about childhood obesity, but we didn't give any way to explain to a child. This is a really simple way to explain to your child. Look at your plate, make it 50 percent this, make it a quarter this, make it a quarter that," said registered dietician Sharon Richter. "This is a very universal language for anyone to be able to follow."

The first lady also said the design is being used in the White House.

"Trust me, we are implementing this in our household. We've had a conversation about sitting down with [our daughters] Malia and Sasha [Obama] and helping them think about how to choose their proportions, and this plate is a huge tool," said the first lady.

The switch from triangle to round follows up on a revamping of U.S. dietary guidelines last January.

Nutritionists are saying it is a great move, but some point out that looking at the chart alone still doesn't clarify portion sizes or other nutritional matters.

"For example, how to reduce sodium is not easily visualized by that plate, or how to get more whole grains, and even possibly what are the lean protein sources," said registered dietician Robyn Flipse.

"My Plate" replaces the food pyramid, originally released 20 years ago and updated in 2005, which had been criticized as too confusing.

The Obama administration says it's just another step and should be balanced with exercise and access to healthier foods all over the country.

For more information on the new design, visit choosemyplate.gov.