After new food pyramid, Memphis experts say change was overdue — but local challenges remain
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stands by an image of a food pyramid during a briefing at the White House on Jan. 7. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
The federal government’s newly released dietary guidelines have upended the familiar food pyramid, elevating meat, dairy and vegetables to the top while pushing grains and breads to the bottom, a symbolic reversal officials say reflects a renewed emphasis on “real food.”
But in Memphis where nearly half of adults are obese and food insecurity remains widespread, nutrition experts say the updated guidance may matter less than whether people can realistically follow it.
The inverted pyramid, unveiled in early January alongside the 2025–2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, places red meat, poultry, dairy and vegetables at the top followed by fruits, seafood, nuts and seeds with grains at the base. Since 2011, the U.S. has used an image called MyPlate to represent federal dietary guidelines instead of the food pyramid.
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Richard J. Bloomer Brandi Johnson Mary Catherine Schallert University of Memphis Subscriber OnlyThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Christin Yates
Christin Yates is a native Memphian who has worked in PR and copywriting since 2007. She earned her B.S. in public relations and M.S. in mass communications from Murray State University.
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