What is MyPlate and How Did It Evolve?
Introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in June 2011, MyPlate became the successor to the various food pyramid diagrams used for nearly 20 years. MyPlate serves as a simpler, more accessible tool to encourage healthy eating habits through a clear visual guide for building balanced meals. The icon features a place setting with a plate and glass, separated into five sections representing the key food groups: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy.
The Shift from MyPyramid to MyPlate
The transition from MyPyramid to MyPlate aimed to create a more straightforward and impactful visual guide. While MyPyramid used vertical colored stripes, MyPlate's familiar dinner plate format was intended to be more intuitive for consumers. Reasons for this shift included providing a simpler, more relatable, and more focused guide on food groups, making it easier to apply the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Core Principles of MyPlate
MyPlate functions as a dynamic tool supporting the comprehensive Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Its guidance is built around four main messages applicable to all life stages:
- Prioritize nutrient-dense foods
- Tailor choices to individual needs
- Meet food group needs while managing calories
- Limit foods and beverages high in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium
The Five Food Groups and Their Importance
MyPlate organizes foods into five essential groups, each crucial for a healthy diet. The MyPlate.gov website offers personalized plans and resources. The five food groups are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, and Dairy. This guide suggests making half your plate fruits and vegetables and focusing on whole grains and varied protein sources. Low-fat or fat-free dairy or fortified plant-based alternatives are also recommended.
MyPlate vs. MyPyramid: A Comparison
Comparing MyPlate to its predecessor, MyPyramid, helps illustrate the evolution of nutritional guidance.
| Feature | MyPlate (2011-Present) | MyPyramid (2005-2011) |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Representation | A familiar dinner plate and glass divided into sections | Vertical colored stripes of varying widths, forming a pyramid shape |
| Portion Guidance | Clearly shows proportional sections for each food group on a plate | Proportionality was less intuitive, represented by stripe width |
| Ease of Use | Highly simple and immediately recognizable | More abstract and required visiting the website for details |
| Key Focus Area | Making half the plate fruits and vegetables | Generally focused on a diet based on grains at the base of the pyramid |
| Associated Website | MyPlate.gov, with tools and resources | MyPyramid.gov, which was eventually retired |
The Role of the Dietary Guidelines
MyPlate is the visual representation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations published every five years by the USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These guidelines underpin federal nutrition programs. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 focuses on healthy eating patterns throughout life.
Conclusion
In the United States, MyPlate is the current food guide icon designed for accessibility and visualizing a healthy meal. This icon simplifies balancing meals by dividing the plate into five key food groups, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while also including varied protein and low-fat dairy options. Rooted in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, MyPlate reflects the government's aim to improve health through nutrition education. For resources, visit MyPlate.gov.
