History of the USDA Food Pyramid

    The USDA food pyramid was a visual guide that represented the optimal number and size of servings of food a person should eat daily from each basic food group. It was first introduced in 1992 and replaced by MyPlate in 2011. The food pyramid had its origins not in recommendations for a balanced diet but in food shortages during World War II. It also evolved from the dietary guidelines issued by the USDA since 1894, which reflected the changing scientific knowledge and social conditions over time.

    1894: Farmer's Bulletin

    The first food recommendations by the USDA were published in 1894 in the Farmer's Bulletin, a publication that covered various topics related to rural life. The recommendations were for men and focused on four nutrients: carbohydrates, protein, fat, and minerals.




History Of The Usda Food Pyramid