
MyPyramid, released by the
USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an United States federal executive departments, executive department of the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government that aims to meet the needs of commerc ...
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion on April 19, 2005, was an update on the earlier American
food guide pyramid. It was used until June 2, 2011, when the USDA's
MyPlate replaced it. The icon stresses
activity and moderation along with a proper mix of
food groups in one's
diet. As part of the MyPyramid
food
Food is any substance consumed by an organism for Nutrient, nutritional support. Food is usually of plant, animal, or Fungus, fungal origin and contains essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, protein (nutrient), proteins, vitamins, ...
guidance system, consumers were asked to visit the MyPyramid website for personalized
nutrition
Nutrition is the biochemistry, biochemical and physiology, physiological process by which an organism uses food and water to support its life. The intake of these substances provides organisms with nutrients (divided into Macronutrient, macro- ...
information. Significant changes from the previous food pyramid include:
* Inclusion of a new symbol—a person on the stairs—representing
physical activity
Physical activity is defined as any voluntary movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, 2009. World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland. Accessed 13/07/2018 ...
.
* Measuring quantities in
cups and
ounces instead of servings.
MyPyramid was designed to educate consumers about a lifestyle consistent with the January 2005 ''
Dietary Guidelines for Americans'', an 80-page document. The guidelines, produced jointly by the USDA and
Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government created to protect the health of the US people and providing essential human services. Its motto is ...
(HHS), represented the official position of the U.S. government and served as the foundation of Federal nutrition policy.
Overview
MyPyramid contained eight divisions. From left to right on the pyramid are a person and six food groups:
*
Physical activity
Physical activity is defined as any voluntary movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, 2009. World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland. Accessed 13/07/2018 ...
, represented by a person climbing steps on the pyramid, to illustrate moderate
physical activity
Physical activity is defined as any voluntary movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, 2009. World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland. Accessed 13/07/2018 ...
every day, in addition to usual activity.
The ''key recommendations'' for 2005 (other specific recommendations are provided for children and adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women, for older adults and for weight maintenance) are:
[ p. 20]
** Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight. (At least 30 minutes on most, and if possible, every day for adults and at least 60 minutes each day for children and

teenagers, and for most people increasing to more vigorous-intensity or a longer duration will bring greater benefits.)
** Achieve physical fitness by including cardiovascular conditioning, stretching exercises for flexibility, and resistance exercises or calisthenics for muscle strength and endurance.
*
Grain
A grain is a small, hard, dry fruit (caryopsis) – with or without an attached husk, hull layer – harvested for human or animal consumption. A grain crop is a grain-producing plant. The two main types of commercial grain crops are cereals and ...
s, recommending that at least half of grains consumed be as
whole grain
A whole grain is a grain of any cereal and pseudocereal that contains the endosperm, germ, and bran, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm.
As part of a general healthy diet, consumption of whole grains is associated ...
s (27%)
*
Vegetable
Vegetables are edible parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. This original meaning is still commonly used, and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including edible flower, flo ...
s, emphasizing dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, and dry beans and peas (23%)
*
Fruit
In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants (angiosperms) that is formed from the ovary after flowering.
Fruits are the means by which angiosperms disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particular have long propaga ...
s, emphasizing variety and deemphasizing fruit juices (15%)
*
Oils, recommending fish, nut, and vegetables sources (2%)
*
Dairy
A dairy is a place where milk is stored and where butter, cheese, and other dairy products are made, or a place where those products are sold. It may be a room, a building, or a larger establishment. In the United States, the word may also des ...
, a category that includes fluid milk and many other milk-based products (23%)
*
Protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
s, emphasizing low-fat and lean meats such as fish as well as more beans, peas, nuts, and seeds (10%)
There is one other category:
*Discretionary
calories, represented by the narrow tip of each colored band, including items such as
candy
Candy, alternatively called sweets or lollies, is a Confectionery, confection that features sugar as a principal ingredient. The category, also called ''sugar confectionery'', encompasses any sweet confection, including chocolate, chewing gum ...
,
alcohol
Alcohol may refer to:
Common uses
* Alcohol (chemistry), a class of compounds
* Ethanol, one of several alcohols, commonly known as alcohol in everyday life
** Alcohol (drug), intoxicant found in alcoholic beverages
** Alcoholic beverage, an alco ...
, or additional food from any other group.
Themes
The
USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an United States federal executive departments, executive department of the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government that aims to meet the needs of commerc ...
encoded six themes into the design of the MyPyramid
icon
An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic Church, Catholic, and Lutheranism, Lutheran churches. The most common subjects include Jesus, Mary, mother of ...
. According to the USDA, MyPyramid incorporated:
*''Personalization'', demonstrated by the MyPyramid website. To find a personalized recommendation of the kinds and amounts of food to eat each day, individuals were instructed to visit MyPyramid.gov (now defunct).
*''Gradual improvement'', represented by the
slogan
A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a clan or a political, commercial, religious, or other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose, with the goal of persuading members of the public or a more defined target group ...
''Steps to a Healthier You''. It suggests that individuals can benefit from taking small steps to improve their diet and lifestyle each day.
*''Physical activity'', represented by the steps and the person climbing them, as a reminder of the importance of daily
exercise
Exercise or workout is physical activity that enhances or maintains fitness and overall health. It is performed for various reasons, including weight loss or maintenance, to aid growth and improve strength, develop muscles and the cardio ...
.
*''Variety'', symbolized by the six color bands representing the five food groups of MyPyramid and oils. Suggests that foods from all groups are needed each day for good health.
*''Moderation'', represented by the narrowing of each food group from bottom to top. The wider base stands for foods with little or no solid fats, added sugars, or caloric sweeteners. Suggests these should be selected more often to get the most nutrition from calories consumed.
*''Proportionality'', shown by the different widths of the food group bands. The widths suggest how much food a person should choose from each group. The widths are just a general guide.
Differences from the food guide pyramid

In a departure from its predecessor the
food guide pyramid, no foods are pictured on the MyPyramid logo itself. Instead, colored vertical bands represent different food groups. Additionally, the logo emphasizes physical activity by showing a person climbing steps on the side of the pyramid. MyPyramid was intentionally made simpler than the food guide pyramid after several USDA studies indicated that consumers widely misunderstood the original design. Consumers were asked to visit the (now defunct
MyPyramid.govwebsite for personalized nutrition information.
The food guide pyramid gave recommendations measured in serving sizes, which some people found confusing. MyPyramid gives its recommendations in common household measures, such as cups, ounces, and other measures that may be easier to understand.
The food guide pyramid gave a single set of specific recommendations for all people. In contrast, MyPyramid has 12 sets of possible recommendations, with the appropriate guide for an individual selected based on sex, age group, and activity level.
Controversy and criticism
Some claim that the
USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an United States federal executive departments, executive department of the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government that aims to meet the needs of commerc ...
was and is unduly influenced by political pressure exerted by lobbyists for food production associations, in particular dairy and meat.
Some nutritionists and critics found MyPyramid overly complicated and difficult or impossible to teach.
Development
In September 2005, a "child-friendly version" of the food pyramid graphic and food guidance system launched.
The research process and results used to create the MyPyramid Food Guidance System was documented in a supplemental issue of the ''Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior'' published in November/December 2006.
See also
*
5 A Day, more details on recommended fruit and vegetable portions
*
Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The FNS is the federal agency responsible for administering the nation’s domestic nutrition assistance programs. The service helps to add ...
*
Food groups
*
Healthy diet
*
Healthy eating pyramid, an alternative designed to address criticism of the food guide pyramid
*
History of USDA nutrition guides
*
Human nutrition
Human nutrition deals with the provision of essential nutrients in food that are necessary to support human life and good health. Poor nutrition is a chronic problem often linked to poverty, food security, or a poor understanding of nutrition ...
*
Society for Nutrition Education
References
External links
*
*
*
* , USPA nutrition guide 2011
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mypyramid
Nutritional advice pyramids