A Brief History of USDA Food Guides

1. A Brief History of USDA Food Guides

2. 1916 to 1930s: “Food for Young Children” and “How to Select Food” • No Graphic! • Established guidance based on food groups and household measures • Focus was on “protective foods”

3. 1940s: A Guide to Good Eating (Basic Seven)

4. 1956 to 1970s: Food for Fitness, A Daily Food Guide (Basic Four)

5. 1979: Hassle-Free Daily Food Guide

6. 1984: Food Wheel: A Pattern for Daily Food Choices

7. 1992: Food Guide Pyramid

8. 2005: MyPyramid Food Guidance System

9. 2011: MyPlate

10. Fruits Group Use fruits as snacks, salads or desserts. Choose whole or cut up fruits more often than fruit juice. Key Consumer Message: Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

11. Vegetables Group Choose fresh, frozen, canned or dried. Eat red, orange and dark green vegetables. Key Consumer Message: Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

12. Protein Group Choose a variety of different protein sources. In place of some meat and poultry, choose 8 oz. seafood per week. Try grilling, broiling, poaching or roasting. Key Consumer Message: Keep meat and poultry portions small and lean.

13. Grains Group Choose 100% whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice and pasta. Check the ingredients list on food packages to find whole grain foods. Key Consumer Message: Make half your grains whole grains.

14. Dairy Group Low-fat or fat-free dairy products have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but less fat and calories. Key Consumer Message: Switch to low-fat or fat-free milk. Get your calcium rich foods.

15. Now you Know!