DIET/HEALTH/NUTRITION
by Leah Wilkinson
Director, Food Policy – NCBA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on April
19 released its revised food guide system – MyPyramid,
Steps to a Healthier You. USDA developed MyPyramid to illustrate the dietary guidelines and to make Americans aware of the vital health benefits of simple and modest improvements in nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle behavior.
MyPyramid, which replaces the Food Guide Pyramid issued in 1992, is part of a food guidance system that integrates a graphic, slogan and interactive materials that interpret and help consumers apply the 2005 Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. The new system emphasizes an individualized approach to making changes for a healthier diet and lifestyle.
The USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion started revising the Food Guide Pyramid in September 2003.
Unlike the original Food Guide Pyramid, the process leading up to MyPyramid was very open and transparent. Comment periods allowed the public to provide data and respond to the proposed system approach. The National Cattlemen’s
Beef Association provided both oral and written scientific comments on behalf of the beef industry throughout the development process.
After receiving public input, USDA then contracted with public relations firm Porter Novelli to develop the new graphic, slogan and Web site and test the new materials with consumers. According to USDA, the result turned the Food
Guide Pyramid on its side. The food groups in MyPyramid don’t stack like they did in the original version but instead run vertically from the base of the pyramid to the top.
The simple, colorful MyPyramid graphic conveys several principles important to good health, variety, proportionality, moderation and physical activity. For example, vertical color bands on the new guide represent the five food groups plus oils – illustrating that food from all groups, or a variety of food, is necessary for good health.
A different colored band represents each food group and oils on MyPyramid – orange for grains, green for vegetables, red for fruit, blue for dairy, purple for meat and yellow for oils. The widths of the color bands suggest the proportion of food to choose from each food group. Since the widths offer only a general guide, consumers are encouraged to visit the Web site for actual recommended daily serving amounts. Color bands narrow from bottom to top, depicting moderation and placing emphasis on choosing nutrientdense, low-fat and low-sugar foods first. For the first time, the graphic includes physical activity, showing a person climbing stairs.
Although individual foods are not pictured within the bands, USDA’s educational poster includes example foods at the base of the pyramid underneath their respective food group. A steak is pictured under the meat and beans group.
Also on the poster is the message “go lean with protein.”
Given the simple nature the MyPyramid graphic,
USDA encourages consumers to obtain more complete and personalized dietary advice online at MyPyramid.gov.
Several tools reside on the MyPyramid Web site, including the “Inside MyPyramid” section with in-depth information on each food group, such as serving sizes. This section also supplies recommendations for choosing healthy oils, discretionary calories and physical activity. “Start
Today” offers tips and resources that include downloadable suggestions for each food group and physical activity as well as a worksheet for tracking food consumption.

DIET/HEALTH/NUTRITION
“MyPyramid Plan” and “MyPyramid Tracker” are interactive tools that allow consumers to personalize their food guidance online. The plan provides consumers with a quick estimate of what type and how much food they should be consuming from each food group, based on their age, gender and physical activity level. The more detailed tracker compares daily food intake with current nutrition guidance.
In addition, relevant nutrition and physical activity messages are tailored to the user’s desire to either maintain their current weight or to lose weight.
USDA will next develop and release a graphic specifically targeted for children and their unique nutritional needs. In the future, USDA said the Web site will contain more tools to further aid consumers in making healthy food and lifestyle choices.
• The mid-April release of MyPyramid completes
USDA’s multi-year revision of the previous Food
Guide Pyramid. USDA is expected to release additional materials for children and other interactive tools for consumers in the future.
• USDA accepted public input throughout the open and transparent revision process. NCBA provided scientific and technical comments to USDA on behalf of the beef industry.
• The colorful but simple MyPyramid design illustrates variety, moderation, proportionality and physical activity — emphasizing that all foods fit, but also the importance of choosing nutrient-dense, low fat and low sugar foods first.
• A purple bar with the message “go lean with protein” represents the meat and beans group.
Lean beef forms an important part of the pyramid as a naturally nutrient rich source of essential nutrients, including protein.