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What is MyPlate?

What is MyPlate?

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MyPlate logo with food group labels

Update to MyPlate

Remember the Food Guide Pyramid? It was great for its time, but much has changed since 1992. USDA invites you to update to MyPlate. It’s the modern way to eat better every day. It’s easy to use, customizable, based on science, and an overall great way to enjoy healthier eating.   

Launched in 2011, MyPlate’s symbol is a simple visual reminder to choose a variety of foods throughout the day and throughout the week. It represents what and how much to eat from each of the food groups over the course of the day, whether you eat on a plate, from a bowl, or another way.  

What happened to the Food Guide Pyramid? 

MyPlate replaced the Food Guide Pyramid, which was made before the internet. With the advancement of technology, MyPlate takes what we’ve learned from the Food Pyramid and now provides a personalized approach to healthy eating to help you meet your goals. 

You can customize MyPlate to fit your dietary needs, preferences, cultural traditions, and budget ― so you can enjoy your favorite recipes and eat the healthy foods you love. 

MyPlate Messages

Click on a message below to learn more about the food groups.

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MyPlate logo with food group labels

MyPlate

The benefits of healthy eating add up over time, bite by bite. Small changes matter. Start Simple with MyPlate.

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Fruits

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: focus on whole fruits.

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Vegetables

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: vary your veggies.

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Grains

Make half your grains whole grains.

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Protein Foods

Vary your protein routine.

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Dairy and Fortified Soy Alternatives

Move to low-fat or fat-free dairy milk or yogurt (or lactose-free dairy or fortified soy versions).

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MyPlate has a variety of free tools and resources to meet your unique needs. 
  • MyPlate Plan is personalized based on your age, height, weight, and other basic factors. It is available in English and Spanish.
  • Start Simple mobile app lets you set daily food goals and track progress in real-time.
  • Shop Simple tool offers cost-saving tips and suggestions for preparing delicious, healthy meals on a budget.
  • MyPlate Quiz, available in English and Spanish, is a fun way to test your nutrition IQ and offers personalized resources based on your score.
  • MyPlate Kitchen provides recipes and resources to support building healthy and budget-friendly meals. Nutrition analysis provided on recipes to help consumers choose recipes that meet nutrition goals. 
  • MyPlate Alexa skill gives you healthy eating tips on your Amazon Alexa device or on your smartphone or tablet using the Amazon Alexa app.
  • Food Group Quizzes test your knowledge of the 5 food groups.
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Shop Simple home screen on a phone

Shop Simple with MyPlate

Find savings in your area and discover new ways to prepare budget-friendly foods.

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Alexa Speakers and Devices

MyPlate on Alexa

Get MyPlate nutrition tips on Amazon Alexa devices or the free Alexa app.

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Start Simple app on phone and watch

Start Simple with MyPlate App

Build healthy eating habits one goal at a time! Download the Start Simple with MyPlate app today.

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logo for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

MyPlate.gov is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025