A "Real Food" Guide to MyPlate (INFOGRAPHIC) | Civil Eats

A “Real Food” Guide to MyPlate (INFOGRAPHIC)

In my recent critique of the new USDA dietary guidelines, I wrote that we’ll never see a real food version of MyPlate as long as the food industry holds sway over the guidelines and USDA continues to promote industrial foods.

While this is true, there’s no reason we can’t create our own “Real Food” version of MyPlate to promote what we think is healthy and what’s not. Admittedly, it’s difficult to convey a lot of information in a single graphic, but, in my opinion as a certified nutrition educator, MyPlate promotes foods that are unhealthy. There are structural problems with MyPlate as well—dairy should be included in the protein category and the glass next to the plate should be water.

Allowing industrial food corporations to influence the dietary guidelines—from dairy and meat to apple juice and corn flakes—makes it clear that the health of the American people is not the USDA’s top priority.

My “Real Food” approach to MyPlate clearly conveys what I think should be included and what should not be, and has no agenda other than presenting the healthiest real food diet for all Americans. The underpinnings of a real food diet is focused on plant-based, whole foods that are organic and sourced local, when possible.

Bottom Line: Simply giving these guidelines isn’t going to change the fact that too many Americans lack access to real foods. Change doesn’t appear to be happening from the top down anytime soon. In the meantime, by providing clear and accurate guidelines based on “Real Food,” I hope Americans can see what a “healthy” diet really looks like and start demanding access to these foods.

The following is an infographic of my “Real Food” Guide to MyPlate by Voltier Creative:

newsmatch 2023 banner - donate to support civil eats

We’ll bring the news to you.

Get the weekly Civil Eats newsletter, delivered to your inbox.

Kristin Wartman is a journalist who writes about food, health, politics, and culture. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Huffington Post and many others. Kristin's first book, Formerly Known as Food—a critical look at how the industrial food system is changing our minds, bodies, and culture—is forthcoming from St. Martin’s Press. Read more >

Like the story?
Join the conversation.

  1. Thanks! I also enjoyed Eating Rules's take on this:

    http://www.eatingrules.com/2011/06/my-plate-guide/
  2. Teresa Sitz
    Should the plate be modified for different ages?
  3. Love this. So much better - and really, the importance of unrefined, whole foods as a focus has the potential to shift our "nutrition" education.

    Great way to set the bar!! Let's push it.

    PS. Have you lobbied or spoken with anybody in government re this?
  4. Teresa,

    Yes, people of different ages as well as people with various health concerns would benefit from a customized version -- modified to suit their needs. This is an overview of general guidelines so people have a basic understanding of a real food diet.

    Thanks,
    Kristin
  5. What about avocados? Olives?

    I also think the phrase "nutrient-dense" while awesome in a scientific sense, is not something the general public really understands. Certainly not how to apply it while shopping.

    Yes, the plate should be modified for age groups. For example, avoiding choking hazards for small children. Fish high in mercury should be avoided by pregnant women and young children, and elderly folks should be sure to consume sufficient B-12 and water. Etc. Maybe that'll be my blog post project... age-based my plates!
  6. drew
    First off, I think MyPlate is a step in the right direction (especially coming from MyPyramid). While it is easy for us to take healthiness to the extreme you must remember that MyPlate is meant to appeal to every American, many of whom cannot afford the fresh and healthiest alternatives. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables contain nutrients equivalent to their fresh counterparts at a lower price (with some added convenience). Also, it is important to note that 45-65% of your calories should be coming from (mostly whole-grain, non-refined) carbohydrates (they provide the fuel to power your body -- glucose!). I am a huge proponent of a vegetable laden diet for the satiating power alone (not to mention the vitamins and minerals they provide).

    I think the most important thing to take away from MyPlate is portion-control, including fruits and vegetables, and reduce intake of refined sugars (liquid and solid).

    -a concerned nutrition student

More from

Nutrition

Featured

Injured divers work on various exercises in a small rehabilitation room at the hospital. Dr. Henzel Roberto Pérez, the deputy director of information management at the hospital, said that one of the many problems with the lobster diving industry is “Children are working for these companies. At least one of the companies is from the United States.” (Photo credit: Jacky Muniello)

Diving—and Dying—for Red Gold: The Human Cost of Honduran Lobster

The Walton Family Foundation invested in a Honduran lobster fishery, targeting its sustainability and touting its success. Ten years later, thousands of workers have been injured or killed. 

Popular

This Indigenous Cook Wants to Help Readers Decolonize Their Diets

author Sara Calvosa Olson and the cover of her book about indigenous foods and foodways, Chimi Nu'am. (Photo courtesy of Sara Calvosa Olson)

This #GivingTuesday, Help Us Celebrate Our Successes

prize winning squash for giving tuesday!

Can Virtual Fences Help More Ranchers Adopt Regenerative Grazing Practices?

A goat grazing with one of them virtual fencing collars on its neck. (Photo credit: Lisa Held)

With Season 2, ‘High on the Hog’ Deepens the Story of the Nation’s Black Food Traditions

Stephen Satterfield and Jessica B. Harris watching the sunset at the beach, in a still from Netflix's High on the Hog Season 2. (Photo courtesy of Netflix)