MyPlate Replaces Food Pyramid

One of the agricultural policies consumers are most familiar with are federal nutrition guidelines. The Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) develop these guidelines to educate Americans and recommend nutritional eating habits. In 2015, the USDA and HHS released Dietary Guidelines for Americans: 2015-2020 Eighth Edition. 

These guidelines are supplemented with educational resources provided by the USDA. Since 1916, the USDA has provided food guides targeted at children. The nutrition campaign has evolved from a basic guide to the food wheel (1984) to the food pyramid (1992) to the current MyPlate campaign (2011). A complete history of this campaign is available at ChooseMyPlate. 



Some of the key aspects of the MyPlate campaign include using new shapes and colors to attract readers' attention. The use of a plate instead of the old pyramid also helps demonstrate recommended portion sizes. Since 2005, the USDA has also stopped picturing specific foods, but instead focused on the five food groups: vegetables, grains, protein, fruits, and dairy. In addition to food guidelines, the MyPlate campaign also includes (Food Nutrition Service):

• Educational resources for teachers
• Original songs, posters
• Parent resources
• Games

Food guidelines are one of the most controversial topics in ag policy history. Many organizations have accused politicians and federal agencies of creating guidelines that favor certain food industries. Some people believe policy has been guided more by economics than science and nutrition. For example, grains used to be the base of the food pyramid, but they now account for just 20 percent of MyPlate. Dr. Light, the nutrition expert who helped create the 1992 food pyramid, said her team's recommendations were similar to the recommendations of today (mostly vegetables, lean meat, and less dairy and processed foods), but department executives were lobbied to make drastic changes (Priceonomics). 

USDA campaigns have a tremendous impact on funding, school meals, and parents' and children's perceptions of nutrition. For example, the inclusion of cereal and other processed foods at the base of the pyramid in grains rather than at the top of the pyramid in fats, oils, and sweets, taught many children-including myself-that cereal was a viable, healthy breakfast option. This understanding is in direct conflict with the recommendations of nutrition experts like Dr. Light. This is one of the reasons the new MyPlate campaign does not categorize specific foods. Think about the impact MyPlate will have on children today. 

The 1992 Food Pyramid includes cereal in the list of grains.

Despite positive changes, such as a greater emphasis on vegetables, many people still criticize Dietary Guidelines. A Time magazine article discussed the ongoing frustration of the American Cancer Society over red meat. In the latest dietary guidelines, no recommendation was given to limit red meat. Many experts saw this decision as politicians capitulating to the meat industry. Nonetheless, USDA food guidelines continue to influence American shopping and eating habits.

At a time when obesity levels are dangerously high, nutrition guidelines are increasingly important. The MyPlate campaign has been well-received for its informational and persuasive nature. Only time will tell if it will have a lasting effect on the population. However, it is important to recognize the potential for political bias. The many different levels of influence are what separate ag policy from the ag industry or ag education.