1916 to 1917: Food for Young Children and How to Select Foods
The first true USDA food guide appeared in 1916, titled Food for Young Children. It was written by nutritionist Caroline Hunt and divided foods into five groups: dairy, meat and eggs, grains and cereals, fruits and vegetables, and fatty and sugary foods. A similar guide for adults was published in 1917, titled How to Select Foods. These guides were active throughout the 1920s.
1930s: Food Plans for Different Income Levels
The Great Depression of the 1930s prompted the USDA to adapt its food recommendations to suit different income levels. USDA food economist Hazel Stiebeling came up with four food plans that focused on 12 food groups and the nutritional needs that had to be met in a week. The plans also included suggestions for low-cost meals and recipes.
1940s: The Basic Seven
In 1941, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science released the first recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for calories and nine essential nutrients: vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, iron, calcium, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. The RDAs were based on the latest scientific research and aimed to prevent nutritional deficiencies. In 1943, the USDA released the Basic Seven food guide, which was based on the RDAs and divided foods into seven groups: green and yellow vegetables; oranges, tomatoes, grapefruit; potatoes and other vegetables and fruits; milk and milk products; meat, poultry, fish, eggs; bread, flour, cereals; butter and fortified margarine . The guide also suggested how many servings from each group a person should have daily or weekly. The Basic Seven was revised in 1946 to include more specific serving sizes and examples of foods.
1956 to 1979: The Basic Four
In 1956, the USDA simplified the Basic Seven into the Basic Four food guide, which reduced the number of food groups to four: milk; meat; fruits and vegetables; breads and cereals . The guide also introduced specific calorie levels for different age groups and activity levels. The Basic Four was widely used in schools and other institutions until 1979.
1980s: Dietary Guidelines for Americans
In 1980, the USDA collaborated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish the first edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a set of science-based advice on how to eat healthfully and prevent chronic diseases. The guidelines were updated every five years to reflect new research findings. The guidelines also included a modified version of the Basic Four food guide that added a fifth group for fats, oils, sweets, and alcohol.
1992: The Food Guide Pyramid
In 1992, the USDA replaced the Basic Four with the Food Guide Pyramid, a graphic that represented the optimal number and size of servings of food a person should eat daily from each basic food group. The pyramid shape was intended to show that a person should eat more foods from the bottom of the pyramid (bread, cereal, rice, pasta) than from the top (fats, oils, sweets). The pyramid also included a range of servings for each group depending on a person's calorie needs. The six food groups were: breads, cereals, rice, pasta; vegetables; fruits; milk, yogurt, cheese; meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, nuts; fats, oils, sweets . The Food Guide Pyramid was widely used in nutrition education and food labeling until 2005.
2005: MyPyramid
In 2005, the USDA revised the Food Guide Pyramid and renamed it MyPyramid. The new graphic replaced the horizontal sections of the pyramid with vertical wedges of different colors to represent the six food groups. It also added a person climbing a staircase on the side of the pyramid to emphasize the importance of physical activity. The graphic was accompanied by a website that provided personalized dietary recommendations based on a person's age, gender, weight, height, and activity level. The six food groups were: grains; vegetables; fruits; milk; meat and beans; oils . MyPyramid was criticized for being confusing and vague and for not addressing the quality of food choices.
2011: MyPlate
In 2011, the USDA replaced MyPyramid with MyPlate, a graphic that represented the optimal proportions of food a person should eat from each food group at each meal. The graphic showed a plate divided into four sections: fruits; vegetables; grains; protein. It also showed a smaller circle next to the plate for dairy. The graphic was based on the 2010 edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which emphasized eating more plant-based foods and less animal-based foods, limiting added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats, and balancing calories to maintain a healthy weight. The graphic was also accompanied by a website that provided more detailed information and tips on healthy eating . MyPlate is still in use as of 2023.
Conclusion
The history of the USDA food pyramid shows how the government's food recommendations have changed over time to reflect the latest scientific knowledge and social conditions. The food pyramid has also influenced how people perceive and choose their foods. However, the food pyramid is not the only source of nutrition information and guidance. People can also consult other sources such as health professionals, dietary organizations, or cultural traditions to find a dietary pattern that suits their individual needs and preferences.
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