The United States Department of Agriculture: The official creator
MyPlate was officially created and launched by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It serves as the federal government's primary visual guide for healthy eating, based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The development was a collaborative effort, with significant support and promotion from prominent figures in the U.S. government at the time. The icon was unveiled to the public on June 2, 2011, replacing the more abstract and less intuitive MyPyramid.
The role of First Lady Michelle Obama
While the USDA was the official agency responsible, First Lady Michelle Obama was instrumental in the public launch and promotion of MyPlate. Her involvement stemmed from her 'Let's Move!' campaign, a broader initiative aimed at tackling childhood obesity. By publicly championing MyPlate alongside then-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, she helped bring the new, simplified visual guide to national attention. Her celebrity and passion for the cause gave the initiative a public profile that its predecessor, MyPyramid, never achieved.
The evolution of USDA dietary guides
To understand why MyPlate was created, it is important to look at the history of government-issued food guides. The USDA has been issuing dietary guidance in various forms for decades, and MyPlate is just the latest iteration. The progression shows an effort to simplify nutrition messaging for the American public.
- The Food Guide Pyramid (1992): This was a tiered graphic that showed different food groups in sections of a pyramid. The idea was that foods from the larger, base sections (like grains) should be eaten in greater quantities than those in the smaller top sections (fats and oils). However, critics pointed out its confusing design and emphasis on certain food groups.
- MyPyramid (2005): An update to the original pyramid, MyPyramid used a series of colorful vertical stripes, which represented the food groups. A running figure was included to signify the importance of physical activity. The design, however, was abstract and offered little intuitive guidance on portion sizes.
- MyPlate (2011): The current guide, MyPlate, uses a familiar plate setting to represent the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. The visual is simple and immediately understandable, showing that fruits and vegetables should constitute half of one's plate.
How MyPlate simplifies nutrition
MyPlate's success lies in its simplicity and directness, particularly when compared to its predecessors. It moves away from the abstract, tiered structure of the food pyramids and presents a practical, everyday visual that people can apply to their meals. The plate graphic makes portion distribution easy to understand, with half of the plate dedicated to produce and the other half split between grains and protein. A separate cup or container for dairy is also included, addressing a key nutrient group. This visual approach is a powerful educational tool that helps translate complex nutritional science into actionable steps.
A comparison of USDA food guides
To illustrate the progression and the improvements of the current model, here is a comparison of the three most recent USDA food icons:
| Feature | Food Guide Pyramid (1992) | MyPyramid (2005) | MyPlate (2011) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Design | Horizontal tiers of varying sizes representing food groups. | Vertical rainbow-colored stripes with a stick figure for activity. | A simple, divided plate with a side glass. |
| Clarity of Portions | Often criticized as confusing; large base section emphasized starchy carbs. | Abstract and visually unclear about portion recommendations. | Directly shows visual proportions on a familiar plate. |
| Key Message | Eat more from the bottom tiers, less from the top. | Emphasis on personalization and physical activity, but icon was hard to interpret. | Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. |
| Ease of Use | Difficult for many to translate into actual meals. | Confusing for the general public due to its abstract nature. | Easy to visualize and apply to daily meal planning. |
Conclusion: A simpler, more effective guide
In conclusion, MyPlate was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2011 as a modern, practical, and easy-to-understand visual guide for healthy eating. Driven by the need for a clearer message than its predecessors, the Food Pyramid and MyPyramid, its development and public launch were significantly bolstered by the support of First Lady Michelle Obama. The resulting icon has become a household name and a fundamental tool in nutritional education across the United States, proving that a simple, clear message can be far more effective in promoting public health. For more information, visit the official MyPlate website at MyPlate.gov.
