Final answer:
The USDA introduced MyPlate in 2011 as a new visual tool for healthy eating to replace MyPyramid. It depicts the relative proportions of food from five food groups and is aligned with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 2011, the USDA introduced a new food pattern icon to serve as a visual reminder for healthy eating called MyPlate. This tool was developed to help Americans develop healthy eating patterns in accordance with the 2015 - 2020 U.S. Dietary Guidelines. MyPlate replaced the former MyPyramid teaching tool and is considered the most up-to-date nutrition teaching tool. It provides a visual guide that illustrates the relative proportions of different types of foods from five food groups: vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins, and dairy. These proportions are intended to guide individuals towards balanced eating at each meal or cumulatively by the end of the day.