Tag: Usda food recommendations

While the iconic pyramid wasn't introduced until 1992, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued the 'Basic Four' in the 1950s to guide healthy eating. The Basic Four was a simplification of earlier, more complex recommendations and focused on ensuring nutrient adequacy for a growing post-war population.

The first food pyramid was not developed in the United States, but rather in Sweden in 1974. This innovative model, created in response to rising food costs, divided foods into basic necessities and supplementary items to promote a balanced, affordable diet. In the U.S. during this time, the dietary guidance was still based on the older Basic Four food groups.