IFIC Spotlight Survey: Americans’ Perceptions Of The Dietary Guidelines For Americans
May 6, 2026
Research Type
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The International Food Information Council (IFIC) commissioned an online survey among U.S. consumers to measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. One thousand eight adults ages 18 years and older completed the online survey from January 20-27, 2026, and were weighted to ensure proportional results.
Key findings include:
- Most Americans say consuming more fruits and vegetables would make the biggest difference in helping them eat healthier.
- More than half of Americans say it would be easy for them to consistently take the action they believe would make the biggest difference in eating healthier.
- Within three weeks of its release, nearly half of Americans reported hearing about the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030.
- Within three weeks of its debut, nearly half of Americans reported seeing the new Food Pyramid.
- Most Americans say the new Food Pyramid graphic communicates to eat more of the foods at the top and less of the foods at the bottom.
- More than three in four Americans have seen the MyPlate graphic.
- Most Americans say the MyPlate graphic communicates striving for balance, variety, and moderation.
- Six in ten Americans say they are at least somewhat familiar with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
- Among those familiar with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, confidence is mixed about the strength of the supporting science.
- Most Americans agree that eating more protein makes a diet healthier, that eating healthier costs more, and that a healthy diet can include both whole and refined grains.
Suggested citation: International Food Information Council (IFIC). IFIC Spotlight Survey: Americans’ Perceptions of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. May 2026.