The USDA’s MyPlate program serves as a widely recognized and simple visual guide for healthy eating, aiming to help Americans build nutritious meals. Released in 2011, it replaced the MyPyramid icon with a familiar dinner plate to illustrate the five key food groups: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein, and Dairy. The icon, with its simple, color-coded quadrants, offers a straightforward message about proportions and balance. However, to properly interpret the guidelines, it's essential to understand not just what MyPlate is, but what it is not.
What are the Core Characteristics of MyPlate?
MyPlate's design is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and emphasizes several key principles to encourage healthy eating habits.
The Visual Plate Setting
The most fundamental characteristic is the use of a place setting image to communicate food proportions. The plate is divided into four sections of varying sizes: vegetables (green), fruits (red), grains (orange), and protein (purple), with a smaller blue circle representing dairy on the side. This visual makes it easy to see how a meal should be balanced at a glance.
Emphasizes Half the Plate as Fruits and Vegetables
A significant departure from its predecessor, the Food Pyramid, MyPlate places a strong emphasis on plant-based foods. The largest proportion of the plate is allocated to fruits and vegetables, serving as a prominent reminder to “Make half your plate fruits and vegetables”. This reflects the importance of these nutrient-dense foods in a healthy diet.
Promotes Varying Your Food Choices
MyPlate encourages variety within each food group. This includes varying your vegetables, choosing different types of protein, and making half of your grains whole grains. This focus ensures that individuals consume a wide range of nutrients necessary for overall health.
Accompanied by Supplementary Information
While the icon itself is simple, it is supported by a wealth of information on the MyPlate.gov website. These resources provide detailed guidance on choosing low-fat dairy, varying protein sources, and limiting saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. The website also includes tools for personalization, such as the MyPlate Plan, which provides tailored recommendations based on an individual's age, sex, and activity level.
Which of the following is not characteristic of MyPlate?
Answering this question is crucial for a complete understanding of MyPlate's approach. While the guide is effective, it has deliberate omissions that differ from previous dietary models.
1. It Does Not Visually Represent Fats or Oils
One of the most notable differences from the original Food Pyramid is the absence of a visible section or symbol for fats and oils on the main MyPlate graphic. While healthy fats are a vital part of a balanced diet, the MyPlate graphic focuses on the five food groups that form the basis of a meal, with guidance on limiting certain fats available through supplementary resources. This prevents confusion and keeps the primary message centered on nutrient-dense food groups.
2. It Does Not Show a Section for Sugars or Sweets
MyPlate deliberately avoids dedicating a section to added sugars or sweets on its visual plate, unlike some past models. The icon is designed to encourage consumption of nutrient-rich foods, and the recommendation is to “Drink and eat less sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars,” which is communicated separately. This helps to steer focus away from less healthy food choices.
3. It Does Not Provide Strict Calorie or Portion Counts on the Icon Itself
Unlike some detailed dietary plans, the MyPlate graphic does not offer specific calorie or serving counts. The graphic shows proportions of food groups, not the exact quantity needed for an individual. Personal calorie goals and portion sizes are addressed through the website’s interactive tools, acknowledging that nutritional needs vary greatly based on age, sex, and activity level.
4. It Does Not Include Physical Activity on the Main Graphic
Although physical activity is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle, the MyPlate icon itself does not visually represent it. This is another key distinction from the MyPyramid, which included a figure climbing stairs to symbolize the importance of exercise. MyPlate keeps its message focused on food, with physical activity recommended in accompanying information.
MyPlate vs. The Food Pyramid: A Comparison
| Feature | MyPlate (2011) | Food Guide Pyramid (1992) |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Layout | Divided plate and cup | Tiered pyramid |
| Emphasis | Fruits and vegetables make up half the plate | Grains (carbohydrates) were the largest, base tier |
| Fats/Oils | Not visually represented on the icon, guidance provided separately | A small, top-tier section for fats, oils, and sweets |
| Balance Message | Focuses on balanced proportions at each meal | Emphasized daily servings from a wide range of groups |
| Physical Activity | Mentioned in supplementary materials, but not on the icon | Included a visual representation (MyPyramid featured a figure climbing stairs) |
| Personalization | Encourages use of online tools for personalized plans | Less emphasis on individualized guidance |
The Role of MyPlate in Modern Nutrition
MyPlate is an effective tool because of its simplicity. By providing a clear visual representation of a balanced meal, it helps people make healthier choices without getting bogged down in complex measurements or calculations. It effectively communicates the importance of eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. While it does not explicitly display fats or sugars, its associated resources provide comprehensive guidance for a complete nutritional approach. The USDA continues to develop tools and resources to support MyPlate, making it accessible and personalized for different budgets and dietary needs.
Conclusion
MyPlate is a simplified and highly effective tool for communicating healthy eating principles to the public. By focusing on five core food groups and their proportions, it provides an intuitive guide for building balanced meals. The deliberate omission of visual representations for fats, oils, added sugars, and physical activity from the main icon helps to simplify its core message, which is to make half your plate fruits and vegetables and choose varied, nutrient-dense foods. Understanding which of the following is not characteristic of MyPlate—namely, the visual absence of fats, sugars, and physical activity—is key to properly applying its guidance and developing a truly comprehensive approach to nutrition. For more information, visit the official MyPlate website at MyPlate.gov.
