The food pyramid is a visual guide, typically shaped like a pyramid, designed to illustrate the optimal number of servings from each basic food group that a person should consume daily. Originating in Sweden in the 1970s, it was later adapted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1992. While the USDA has since revised its guidelines, first to MyPyramid in 2005 and then to MyPlate in 2011, the food pyramid concept remains influential globally, with many countries adapting versions to suit their own nutritional and cultural contexts. These guides are intended to help individuals cultivate a healthy and balanced dietary pattern.
The Origins and Transformation of the Food Pyramid
The initial impetus behind food guides wasn’t always about balanced nutrition; scarcity played a significant role. During World War II, the USDA introduced the Basic 7 food guide in 1943 to aid U.S. citizens in navigating food rationing. This guide categorized foods into seven groups, including bread and cereals, fruits and vegetables, and meat and poultry.
In Sweden during the 1970s, the National Board of Health and Welfare grappled with rising food costs. Their initial approach involved dividing foods into “basic” and “supplementary” categories. However, this categorization proved nutritionally problematic because “supplementary” foods included fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. The Swedish government also used a dietary circle resembling a cake divided into seven pieces, but it lacked specific guidance on consumption quantities.
Amidst this confusing landscape, Anna-Britt Agnsäter, an educator working for a Swedish grocery cooperative, created the food pyramid. It first appeared in 1974 in the cooperative’s magazine. Agnsäter structured the pyramid into three levels: the base included bread and other grains, legumes, potatoes, and milk; the middle level comprised fruits, vegetables, and juices; and the top level featured eggs, meat, and fish. The pyramid shape conveyed the message that individuals should consume more foods from the broader base than from the apex. Subsequently, other Nordic countries and various regions worldwide embraced this approach.
The original U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide Pyramid, introduced in 1992, recommended a liberal daily intake of grain products (represented by the wide base of the pyramid) and a sparing intake of fats, oils, and sugary foods (represented by its tip).
The USDA’s Iterations: From Pyramid to Plate
In 1992, the USDA introduced its own version of the food pyramid, consisting of four levels. The foundation comprised bread, cereal, rice, and pasta, with a recommended intake of 6 to 11 servings per day. The second tier was divided between a vegetable group (3 to 5 servings daily) and a fruit group (2 to 4 servings daily). The third level suggested 2 to 3 daily servings from a group including milk, yogurt, and cheese, as well as 2 to 3 daily servings from a group containing meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts. The pyramid’s apex included fats, oils, and sweets, which were to be consumed sparingly.
This USDA model inspired the development of tailored pyramids for specific cuisines and diets, such as Asian, Mediterranean, Latin American, vegetarian, and vegan, all emphasizing grains, fruits, and vegetables. Around the same time, governments in Mexico, Chile, Panama, and the Philippines also adopted the pyramid format. However, some countries opted for alternative visual representations for cultural reasons or simply to differentiate themselves. Canada, for instance, utilized a rainbow, Zimbabwe a square, Guatemala a family pot, and Japan the number 6. South Korea and China developed pagodas, while Australia employed both pyramids and plates.
In the early 21st century, many countries reimagined the food pyramid. Japan, in 2005, inverted the pyramid to create a spinning top design. The same year, the USDA launched MyPyramid, featuring colorful stripes of varying widths to represent the proportions of different food groups. It also included an image of a person climbing stairs, underscoring the significance of exercise.
USDA MyPyramid, introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2005, represented the major food groups in colored vertical bands. It was replaced in 2011 by a revised food guide graphic known as MyPlate.
By 2011, the USDA replaced MyPyramid with MyPlate. This model displays the basic food groups—fruits, grains, protein, and vegetables—as sections on a plate, with each section’s size reflecting the recommended dietary proportions. Unlike its predecessor, MyPlate doesn’t include an exercise component or a designated section for fats and oils.
USDA MyPlate, a revised set of dietary guidelines introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2011, divides the four basic food groups (fruits, grains, protein, and vegetables) into sections on a plate, the size of each section representing the relative dietary proportions of each food group. The small blue circle shown at the upper right illustrates the inclusion and recommended proportion of dairy products in the diet.
Global Variations and Dietary Recommendations
The diverse range of food guides across the globe, from rainbows and pots to pagodas and plates, reflects not only cultural nuances and design preferences but also differing nutritional recommendations. For example, when the USDA transitioned from its food pyramid to MyPlate, Australia introduced its own pyramid. While MyPlate emphasized equal portions of grains and vegetables and smaller, equal portions of fruits and protein, the Australian pyramid grouped vegetables, legumes, and fruits together at the base, advocating for this level to constitute 70 percent of daily food intake. The subsequent levels included grains, dairy (or alternatives) alongside lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds, with healthy fats at the apex. This pyramid also recommended incorporating herbs and spices, drinking water, and limiting salt and added sugar. These differences highlight the adaptability of dietary guidelines to local contexts.
Mediterranean food guides often substitute cow dairy with yogurt and goat’s milk products due to a higher prevalence of cow dairy intolerance in the region. Asian food guides incorporate soy products to provide nutrients typically found in dairy. The Asian Diet Pyramid, created in 2000, prioritizes daily physical exercise as its foundation, with the base including rice, noodles, breads, millet, corn, and other whole grains. The next level features fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds, followed by vegetable oils. These first three levels are designated for daily consumption. The fourth level, which includes fish, shellfish, and dairy, is optional for daily consumption. Sweets, eggs, and poultry are recommended weekly, while meat is suggested monthly. The guide also advises drinking six glasses of water or tea per day.
In India, the recommended food pyramid comprises four levels: cereals, grains, and milk to be consumed adequately; fruits and vegetables to be eaten liberally; meat, eggs, fish, salt, and oils to be eaten in moderation; and sweets and junk food to be consumed sparingly. India’s pyramid also advises against alcohol and tobacco.
A vegan food pyramid, which excludes meat and animal products.
Critiques and Considerations Regarding the Food Pyramid
Food pyramids have faced criticism for oversimplifying the concept of an ideal diet. While the USDA’s 1992 pyramid cannot be directly blamed for the rise in obesity among Americans, it has been criticized for failing to adequately educate people about the different nutritional profiles of carbohydrates, instead simply recommending a number of servings. Furthermore, foods often contain multiple nutrients; for example, rice contains some protein and can contribute to daily protein intake, a complexity not always reflected in food pyramids. Finally, placing fats at the top of the pyramid, indicating minimal consumption, overlooks the diversity of fat types, with unsaturated fats being healthier than saturated fats. Categorizing all fats as “low consumption” has led to weight-loss diets that eliminate them entirely, despite the essential role of some fats in maintaining health.
In conclusion, the food pyramid has undergone significant evolution and adaptation over the years. While criticisms exist regarding its simplicity and potential for misinterpretation, it remains a valuable tool for promoting balanced eating habits and raising awareness of essential food groups. Its ongoing evolution reflects a commitment to providing accessible and culturally relevant dietary guidance to populations worldwide.
