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<img alt="" src="[BASEDOMAIN]/Client_Files/azblue/CM/System/USDA_Food_Pyramid_thumb.gif">
The food pyramid, or &ldquo;Food Guide Pyramid&rdquo; as it was formally called, was first introduced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1992 and updated in 2005 with the name &ldquo;MyPyramid.&rdquo; It was eventually replaced by &ldquo;<a href="https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/what-is-myplate#:~:text=Start%20Simple%20with%20MyPlate.,-Fruits&amp;text=Make%20half%20your%20plate%20fruits%20and%20vegetables%3A%20focus%20on%20whole%20fruits.&amp;text=Make%20half%20your%20plate%20fruits%20and%20vegetables%3A%20vary%20your%20veggies." style="color: #954f72;">MyPlate</a>&rdquo; in 2011 to better represent nutrition guidelines in a way we can visually understand: on a plate.
Although it has been our rule of thumb for more than a decade, many Americans are still unfamiliar with the guide. According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr178.pdf" style="color: #954f72;">a new study</a>&nbsp;from the National Center for Health Statistics, less than one-third of adults have heard of MyPlate and less than one-tenth have tried to follow the recommendations.
While MyPlate is a helpful guide, it is up to you to customize meals based on food preferences. The kind of food you eat often depends on culture and background.&nbsp;
Find the number of calories right for you using the customizable&nbsp;<a href="https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan" style="color: #954f72;">MyPlate Plan.</a>
MyPlate can help you live a healthier lifestyle. It&rsquo;s not telling you what to eat, but what you should consider in portion size and food type. And, fortunately, the plate is a lot easier to understand than the pyramid!
 

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MyPlate Dietary Guidelines

Chances are you remember the food pyramid or at least a variation of it. The pyramid graphic was used to encourage healthy eating by recommending serving sizes for different food groups.