When did the USDA begin publishing nutritional recommendations for Americans?

January 6, 2026 •

3 min read

The USDA's first nutrition recommendations for the general public appeared in the mid-1890s, marking the beginning of a century-plus effort to guide American eating habits. This initial guidance was issued through Farmer's Bulletins and was primarily based on the work of USDA agricultural chemist, Wilbur O. Atwater.

Quick Summary

The USDA first published dietary guidance in the mid-1890s through a series of Farmer's Bulletins, laying the groundwork for a continuously evolving public health nutrition strategy. Recommendations have progressed from early focus on macronutrients to modern, comprehensive guidelines.

Key Points

Initial Publication: The USDA's first nutritional recommendations for the general public appeared in the mid-1890s through the Farmer's Bulletin No. 28.
Atwater's Influence: The early guidance was heavily influenced by agricultural chemist Wilbur O. Atwater, who established baseline values for macronutrients.
Food Group Evolution: Guidance evolved from a macronutrient focus to food groups, starting with five groups in the 1910s and expanding to "The Basic Seven" in the 1940s.
Dietary Goals and Moderation: The 1977 Dietary Goals for the United States marked a shift towards emphasizing moderation of fats, cholesterol, and sodium, in addition to nutrient adequacy.
Modern Era Graphics: Visual guides like the Food Guide Pyramid (1992) and MyPlate (2011) replaced earlier models to better communicate dietary advice to consumers.
Joint Responsibility: Since the 1980s, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been jointly published every five years by the USDA and HHS.

The USDA's first steps toward publishing nutritional recommendations for Americans can be traced back to the 1890s, initiated by the foundational work of agricultural chemist Wilbur O. Atwater. Atwater, often called the “father of American nutrition,” pioneered the study of food energy and composition. His research, along with others', formed the basis for the Farmers' Bulletin No. 28, published in 1894, which contained the first recommendations on protein, fat, and carbohydrate consumption for adult males. This early guidance, though simple by modern standards, was a groundbreaking effort to translate scientific findings into public health advice.

Early 20th Century: Expansion of Guidance

Following Atwater's initial work, the USDA continued to expand its nutritional guidance, shifting focus to specific populations. In 1916, the publication Food for Young Children was released, followed by How to Select Foods in 1917, both authored by nutritionist Caroline Hunt. These early guides categorized foods into five groups: dairy/meat/eggs, cereals/grains, fruits/vegetables, fatty foods, and sweets. This represented a move towards food-group based recommendations, a format that would evolve over the next century.

Impact of Economic and Social Change

The Great Depression and World War II significantly influenced the evolution of dietary guidance. During the Depression, USDA economist Hazel Stiebeling developed food plans tailored for different income levels to help families manage their budgets while ensuring nutritional adequacy. During World War II, the focus shifted to rationing and ensuring the nation's health during a time of resource scarcity. This led to the introduction of "The Basic Seven" food groups in 1943, designed to guarantee adequate vitamin and mineral intake for the war effort.

The Post-War Era and the Rise of Chronic Disease

After the war, the Basic Seven was replaced in 1956 by the simpler "Basic Four" food groups. This simplified approach, however, proved insufficient as chronic diseases linked to diet, such as heart disease, began to rise. This led to a major paradigm shift in the 1970s, culminating in the 1977 release of the Dietary Goals for the United States. This report, created by the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, emphasized not just nutrient adequacy but also the moderation of intake of fats, cholesterol, and sodium.

Modern Dietary Guidance: From Pyramids to Plates

The 1980s saw the formal establishment of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), now mandated for joint release by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) every five years. The visual representation of these guidelines has also evolved dramatically. The iconic Food Guide Pyramid was introduced in 1992, providing a visual representation of the recommended proportions of different food groups. In 2011, MyPlate replaced the pyramid, offering a simpler, more modern graphic to encourage healthy eating habits.

Evolution of USDA Food Guidance Tools

The changes to USDA food guidance have reflected scientific advancement and societal shifts. From early bulletins to the complex system of modern guidelines, the aim remains to promote public health through nutrition education. For a detailed timeline and exploration of these guides, see the USDA Food Guidance System history on ChooseMyPlate.gov.

Comparison of USDA Food Guidance Models


Feature	1894 Farmer's Bulletin	1943 "The Basic Seven"	1992 Food Guide Pyramid	2011 MyPlate
Primary Focus	Macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs) for adult males.	Ensuring nutrient adequacy for the war effort.	Total diet approach, emphasizing moderation and proportionality.	Simple, visual reminder for healthy eating at mealtimes.
Format	Text-based bulletin, focusing on scientific data.	Seven-group list, focusing on daily intake of each group.	Pyramid shape with broader base for grains, smaller apex for fats/sweets.	Plate icon divided into fruit, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy.
Key Message	Food as fuel, based on scientific analysis.	"Eat the Basic 7 Every Day".	Emphasizing a variety of foods from the five food groups.	Balancing your plate with five key food categories.
Visual Aid	No prominent visual representation.	Chart listing food groups.	Triangular pyramid graphic.	Circular plate graphic.

Conclusion

The history of the USDA's nutritional recommendations is a compelling story of scientific discovery, evolving public health priorities, and changing communication strategies. From the simple, text-based guidance of the 1890s, focused on basic macronutrients, to the sophisticated, graphically-driven campaigns of the modern era, the journey reflects a deeper understanding of nutrition's role in public health. The continuous revision and adaptation of these guidelines, culminating in modern tools like MyPlate, demonstrate the USDA's ongoing commitment to providing Americans with the best available scientific advice on how to eat for better health and wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The very first nutritional advice was published by the USDA in the 1894 Farmer's Bulletin No. 28, detailing recommendations on protein, fat, and carbohydrates based on the work of Wilbur O. Atwater.

Wilbur O. Atwater was a USDA agricultural chemist considered the "father of American nutrition" for his pioneering work in analyzing the nutrient composition of foods in the late 19th century.

Before the Food Guide Pyramid, the USDA used several different food guides, including "The Basic Four" (1956-1970s), "The Basic Seven" (1940s), and a "Hassle-Free Daily Food Guide" (1979).

The USDA changed from the Food Guide Pyramid to MyPlate in 2011 to provide a simpler, more recognizable, and more modern visual cue for healthy eating habits that would better resonate with consumers.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans were formally established in 1980 and were legislatively mandated in 1990 to be published jointly by the USDA and HHS every five years.

During World War II, dietary guidance focused on rationing and ensuring the population received essential nutrients, leading to the development of "The Basic Seven" food groups in 1943.

The 1977 Dietary Goals were motivated by the growing recognition of the connection between diet and chronic diseases, shifting the focus from just nutrient adequacy to also emphasizing moderation of specific dietary components like fats and sodium.