Why MyPlate Still Matters: A New Research Report Worth Your Time + Handout
MyPlate was the longest-running food guide icon in US history, and a new open-access research report makes the case that its process and resources should guide what comes next. We think every nutrition educator should read it.
The report, Reflecting Upon the History of MyPlate to Chart the Future of Nutrition Guidance and Education, was published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior in October 2026. It was written by Ashley Roth, MS, RDN, a PhD student in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise at Virginia Tech, and Elena Serrano, PhD. Ashley previously worked with USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) on the MyPlate National Strategic Partnership.
We were honored to see FoodandHealth.com cited in the paper, and we recently had the pleasure of meeting with Ashley to talk about MyPlate and what educators need now.
What the paper covers
The report is a complete history of MyPlate, from its 2011 launch to its replacement by The New Pyramid and RealFood.gov in 2026. It preserves a record of work that is no longer online: MyPlate.gov now redirects to RealFood.gov, and the authors note the MyPlate tools do not appear to be archived.
Highlights include:
How MyPlate was built. CNPP used interviews, literature reviews, media analysis and 14 consumer focus groups. Consumers preferred the plate over the pyramid because it helped them picture food group proportions at mealtime.
The full catalog of tools. MyPlate Plans for 31 calorie levels, the Start Simple with MyPlate app, the MyPlate Quiz, SuperTracker, Shop Simple with MyPlate, MyPlate Kitchen with 1,000+ recipes, and translated plans in 9 languages.
How it was promoted. Social media, email, the USDA blog, school and SNAP-Ed curricula, and the MyPlate National Strategic Partnership of 149 organizations.
What comes next. The authors call for unified, science-based, transparent nutrition education tools, and suggest a national nutrition education collaborative to fill the gap.
The numbers say people still want MyPlate
Even with promotion stopped in 2025, MyPlate Plans grew to 7 of the top 10 downloads on USDA Food and Nutrition Service sites, up from 4 of 10 in 2024. Educators and consumers kept coming back to the plate on their own.
Finding from the report
| Finding from the report | Figure |
|---|---|
| Americans who had seen the MyPlate symbol (IFIC, 2025) | 77%, up from 61% in 2013 |
| Americans who know a lot or a fair amount about MyPlate (IFIC, 2025) | 53%, up from 40% in 2013 |
| Top message people take from MyPlate (IFIC, January 2026) | "Strive for balance, variety, and moderation" (51%) |
| Americans who had seen The New Pyramid (IFIC, January 2026) | 47% |
| MyPlate.gov visits in 2024, 4th most visited USDA site | 14.9 million |
| SuperTracker users at retirement in 2018 | 27 million |
Our time as a MyPlate National Strategic Partner
Serving as a USDA MyPlate National Strategic Partner was one of the proudest parts of our work at Food and Health Communications. We loved being part of a group of organizations working together to deliver one clear, consistent healthy-eating message to as many people as possible.
The paper describes what that partnership looked like from the inside: a shared mission tied to the Dietary Guidelines, national reach, and a joint promotion plan with CNPP. For years, we built MyPlate handouts, posters, lessons, and recipes for dietitians, teachers, WIC and SNAP-Ed educators, and wellness programs. Our blog post introducing SuperTracker, "Meet SuperTracker," is one of the report's cited sources.
Why MyPlate still works
MyPlate is simple, visual, and easy to act on. You look at your plate, and you know what to do: half fruits and vegetables, some grains, some protein, and dairy on the side. That is why it fits so well in a classroom, a clinic, or a cafeteria line.
The report warns that nutrition education may now fall to local and state educators, with fewer federal resources and the sunsetting of SNAP-Ed. We hear the same thing from our members and customers. They still want MyPlate materials and help teaching the new guidelines in a way that makes sense.
That is what we are here for. On FoodandHealth.com and at the Nutrition Education Store, you will find MyPlate handouts, posters, plates, lessons, and recipes, plus resources that show the New Pyramid in the context of MyPlate. We are proud to keep the plate on the table.
Read the full report
The paper is open access and free to read. Share it with your team, your students, and anyone who teaches nutrition.
Roth A, Serrano E. Reflecting Upon the History of MyPlate to Chart the Future of Nutrition Guidance and Education. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published online October 7, 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2026.09.002
Thank you, Ashley, for preserving the MyPlate story and for including us in it.
Why We Offer Resources for Both the Pyramid and MyPlate
The New Pyramid upset many educators, and for good reason:
It is hard to understand. The upside-down pyramid and mixed-up food groups confuse people, making it harder to teach.
It pushes more animal fat. Fatty meats, butter, and whole milk are front and center, yet research supports limiting saturated fat from animal products. The guidelines even cap saturated fat at 10% of calories, which sends another mixed message.
It pushes more protein. Most Americans already get enough protein, and the research does not support eating more.
It misses fiber. The research supports eating more fiber, and most Americans fall short. The pyramid doesn't prioritize fiber.
It is not inclusive. The foods shown leave out many cultural food traditions, and it offers no translated or culturally adapted materials like MyPlate's 9 languages.
It ignores food budgets. Featuring more beef and other expensive meats is out of reach for many families, especially with rising grocery prices.
One thing everyone loves is the focus on eating less processed food. We fully support and teach that message every day.
Even so, we all need to support the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are required by law, updated every five years, and given to every consumer. They are the foundation for school meals, WIC, EFNEP, and nearly every federal nutrition program. That is too important a resource to walk away from.
So we offer both, guided by our own data. Our search analytics show people still search for and use our MyPlate resources every day, from posters and handouts to Spanish materials, games, and diabetes plate tools. At the same time, educators are looking for help with the New Pyramid. We help them teach the new guidelines clearly, and we keep MyPlate available as the simple, visual tool people already know for building a balanced meal.
Foodandhealth.com MyPlate Resources:
What Happened to MyPlate.gov? (And Where to Get MyPlate Materials Now)
The New 2026 Dietary Guidelines Are Here: References and Need to Know
The Case for the New Dietary Guidelines Committee Recommendations
Further reading on saturated fat:
Sacks FM, et al. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017.
Hooper L, et al. Reduction in saturated fat intake for cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020.
Wang DD, et al. Association of Specific Dietary Fats With Total and Cause-Specific Mortality. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2016.
Further reading on fiber and plant-based eating:
Reynolds A, et al. Carbohydrate quality and human health: a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The Lancet. 2019.
Satija A, et al. Healthful and Unhealthful Plant-Based Diets and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in U.S. Adults. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2017.
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