The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) provides science-based recommendations for healthy eating patterns to promote health and reduce chronic disease. They are updated every 5 years, but many Americans still fall short of the recommendations. Food science innovations have improved the safety, health, acceptability, and affordability of many foods, but there is still a need for increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Moving Americans towards more healthy eating patterns requires ongoing collaboration with the food sector to achieve the required change. The US Department of Agriculture has launched MyPlate which is a consumer communication tool that promotes healthy eating patterns. Widespread consumer adoption of DGA has been minimal, and it is hoped that tools like MyPlate will help educate consumers about healthy eating habits. Many reasons have been proposed for the low adoption of DGA including lack of education, low motivation, economic barriers, and time concerns, and it is hoped that MyPlate will help address the consumer education factor.

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Picture Credit Susanne Kuehne

Posted on 17 December 2021