Bye MyPyramid, Hello MyPlate

by Tristin Bolton, Crawford County Extension Agent - February 24, 2023

Think back to when you were in school. What did you learn about nutrition and healthy eating? Better yet, what visual comes to mind when someone asks you about a daily diet?

Is there still a Food Guide Pyramid?

If you were in grade school between 1992 and 2011, you may remember a form of the food guide pyramid doling out nutrition guidance in the cafeteria. However since 2011, the USDA has discontinued use of the pyramid and now offers Dietary Guidelines for Americans in the form of a plate.

What is USDA's MyPlate and how can I use it?

USDA’s MyPlate serves as visual representation of the dietary guidelines and includes all 5 food groups: vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and dairy. The current guidelines focus on “making every bite count.” And you can make every bite count by using the MyPlate model as a guide.

Visit USDA's What is MyPlate site to brush up on daily recommendations for each food group.

What are the key MyPlate messages?

• Focus on whole fruits
• Vary your veggies
• Make ½ your grains whole grains
• Vary your protein routine
• Move to low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt
• Limit added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium

Our bodies need nutritious foods and plenty of water to stay healthy. Remember as you fix your plate to follow the MyPlate visual example of making ½ your plate fruits and vegetables.

To learn more about MyPlate and how you can utilize this tool, visit https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan.