Steps to a better you.

When you want a snack, do you reach for carrot sticks or potato chips? If you chose the latter, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has some suggestions. Earlier this year, the agency came out with a range of new food pyramids--dietary guidelines entitled "Steps to a Healthier You."

You may have seen the old food pyramid, which has been around since 1992. It showed the makings of a balanced diet, from a wide base (foods that should be eaten in larger amounts) to a pointed top (foods that should be eaten sparingly). It was a one-size-fits-all program.

Like clothes, however, the one-size-fits-all plan didn't work for everyone. For example, should a teen who runs track and a middle-aged person with a desk job eat the same amount of food? How about a tall, slim person and a short, plump one? Mike Johanns, Secretary of the USDA, acknowledged those problems when he announced the new plan. "One pyramid does not fit all of us," he said. "So we created 12 different ones."

To find out which of the 12 pyramids fits you, go to MyPyramid.gov, enter some basic information, and click "submit." More specific dietary guidelines and a color-coded pyramid will pop up. You'll also find a meal-tracking worksheet that you can print out, and tips on balancing diet and exercise. Don't forget to climb those steps!