2.3 MyPlate

MyPlate was developed in 2011 by the USDA as a replacement for the former Food Guide Pyramid. This was created to give Americans more practical solutions to apply the information provided in the Dietary Guidelines to their own lives and offer suggestions to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet and tips for choosing nutritious sources of grains and protein. The official Myplate.gov site now (as of January 2026) redirects to the new dietary guidelines. However, resources from the old site such as meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists are still available (as of January 2026). There is a whole section on healthy eating on a budget that may be helpful for you. A degree in nutrition is not needed to use these resources – they are designed to be accessible for the general population. The plate icon, shown in Figure 2.4, gives a visual representation of what a healthy plate looks like.

Figure 2.4 Building a Healthy Plate with MyPlate.gov