MyPlate

MyPlate
Name	MyPlate
Country	United States
Year	2011
Predecessor	MyPyramid
Agency	USDA and HHS

MyPlate. It is the current nutrition guide published by the USDA and promoted by the First Lady Michelle Obama as part of her Let's Move! campaign. The icon, introduced in 2011, replaced the previous MyPyramid symbol and is designed to provide a simple, visual cue for building healthy meals. Its development was informed by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and aims to address public health concerns like obesity in the United States.

Overview

The primary visual is a place setting with a plate and cup divided into five food group sections. This graphic is intended for use by the general public, educators in programs like the SNAP-Ed, and health professionals. The initiative is managed by the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, a division of the USDA. Key companion resources include the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health often provides independent analysis and comparisons.

History and development

The icon was unveiled on June 2, 2011, at an event led by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. It succeeded the MyPyramid guide, which had been criticized for being confusing. The development process involved reviewing previous symbols like the Food Guide Pyramid and considering international models such as the Eatwell Guide from the United Kingdom. Input was gathered from experts at institutions like the Institute of Medicine and through public comments.

Dietary guidelines

MyPlate translates the broader recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans into actionable meal-based advice. Key messages include encouraging the consumption of whole grains, increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, and switching to fat-free or low-fat milk. It advises reducing portions of protein and starches while making half the plate fruits and vegetables. The guidelines also align with federal programs like the National School Lunch Program and the WIC.

Food groups

The five groups represented are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein, and Dairy. The Vegetables section is further subdivided into recommendations for dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, beans and peas, starchy vegetables, and other vegetables. The Grains group emphasizes whole grains over refined grains. The Protein group includes meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, and soy products. The Dairy group encompasses milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified soy milk.

Impact and reception

The icon has been widely disseminated through public health campaigns, elementary school curricula, and materials from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It has faced criticism from some nutrition experts at institutions like the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who argue it is overly influenced by the agricultural industry and fails to sufficiently distinguish between healthy and less healthy options within groups. Supporters, including the American Heart Association, praise its simplicity as a foundational tool for the public.

Comparisons to other guides

MyPlate is often compared to other international food icons, such as Canada's Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide, Japan's Spinning Top, and Brazil's Food Guide for the Brazilian Population. Unlike the detailed Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, MyPlate does not explicitly recommend specific fats or discourage processed foods. Alternative models like the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate provide more nuanced advice, such as highlighting healthy oils and advising caution with dairy and fruit juice consumption.

Category:Diets Category:Nutrition Category:United States Department of Agriculture