Historical Dietary Guidance

A Brief History of USDA Food Guides (PDF | 768 KB)

USDA. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

See the evolution of food guides from 1916 to present day.
Dietary Recommendations and How They Have Changed Over Time

USDA. Economic Research Service.
Early Food Guides (1894-1940)

USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.

Slide collection of early food guides.
Early World War II Guides (1941-1942)

USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.

Slides of early food guides.
Basic 7 Food Guide (1943-1955)

USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.

Slides of early food guides.
Basic 4 Food Guide (1956-1979)

USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.

Slides of early food guides.
Hassle-Free Food Guide (1979-1984)

USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.

Slides of early food guides.
Pattern for Daily Food Choices (1984 - Present)

USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.

Pattern for Daily Food Choices includes the Food Guide Pyramid, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and American Red Cross Food Wheel.
Development of USDA's Food Guide (1980's)

USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.

Follows the development of the 1980 Food Guide Pyramid.
Historical Background

USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.

Follows the historical developments behind the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.