Tag: Food industry influence

According to the USDA, Americans consumed an estimated 2,075 calories daily in 1970, which rose to 2,535 calories by 2010. This significant increase in caloric intake, coupled with a fundamental shift in food sources, illustrates how America's diet has changed over time.

According to a 2022 study, visually-driven dietary guides like MyPlate can improve nutrition knowledge, but don't always translate to healthier eating habits in practice, highlighting a significant limitation. So, what are the criticisms of MyPlate, and how do they impact its overall effectiveness as a national dietary guide?

According to a 2024 Harvard Public Health article, nutrition research is indeed underfunded, raising significant concerns about the quality and quantity of studies shaping our dietary recommendations. This shortage of public funding has far-reaching consequences for scientific integrity, public health policy, and the fight against diet-related diseases.

Since its inception in 2011, MyPlate has aimed to simplify dietary guidelines with a memorable visual icon. Yet, despite its simplicity, critics from prestigious health institutions have raised significant concerns, highlighting several key reasons why is MyPlate bad for general, modern nutritional guidance. This article explores the valid critiques and points to better, more detailed alternatives.