MyPlate 2.0
In a presentation looking at how to help Americans meet the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, USDA's Dr Robert Post said that the MyPlate design was here to stay, but that the messaging around it would evolve.
Praising the Nestlé 'Balance Your Plate' initiative as a good example of how to incorporate the MyPlate concept into nutrition marketing, he said that USDA was currently exploring similar initiatives as part of 'MyPlate 2.0'.
As to the relationship between the dietary guidelines and what Americans actually eat, the 2010 'report card' for the nation was "not one you want to bring home to Mom", he said. But he added. "And Mom's not doing too well herself."
However, consumer surveys showed that increasing numbers of Americans are at least trying to follow government healthy eating advice, he said, with women, older people and highly educated Americans trying the hardest.