Changes in American Food Guides Over the Last 50 Years:
Over the past half-century, American food guides have evolved considerably, reflecting shifts in scientific understanding, cultural values, and societal needs. Each update represents a snapshot of the best knowledge and perspectives on nutrition at the time. This essay delves into the changes in American food guides over the last 50 years, looking at the motivations behind each alteration and the broader implications for the nation’s health.
1960s and 1970s: The Basic Four:
In the 1960s and early 1970s, the “Basic Four” food guide was the predominant model, which stemmed from recommendations established in the 1950s. This guide grouped foods into four main categories:
- Milk and dairy products
- Meat, poultry, fish, beans, and nuts
- Fruits and vegetables
- Grains
The simplicity of the Basic Four was its strength, but it lacked specific guidance on portion sizes and did not address the importance of dietary variety within each category. Furthermore, the emergence of new scientific evidence began to suggest that limiting certain nutrients, like saturated fats and cholesterol, could help reduce heart disease risk.
read more
https://nutritionalstudi.blogspot.com/2023/09/evolution-of-american-food-guides-1973.html
