Eat the Basic Seven Everyday!

Title

Eat the Basic Seven Everyday!

Description

In 1943, during World War II, the National Wartime Nutrition Guide was issued by the USDA. Food scarcity and wartime restrictions prompted nutritionists to adjust their advice. Seeking to promote good eating in spite of limited resources, they created what was known as the "Basic Seven" food groups:

1. green and yellow vegetables
2. oranges, tomatoes, grapefruit
3. potatoes and other vegetables and fruits
4. milk and milk products
5. meat, poultry, fish, or eggs
6. bread, flour, and cereals
7. butter and fortified margarine

During the war, it became imperative that soldiers and civilians alike stayed healthy. There was a correlation between good nutrition and citizenship. In many ways, healthy eating was considered to be a contribution to the war effort. As a gentle reminder, the center of the wheel reads: "U.S. Needs Us Strong." However, the physical benefits of healthy eating, such as strong bones and increased immunity, were also emphasized.

Creator

Office for Emergency Management. Office of War Information. Domestic Operations Branch. Bureau of Special Services.

Date

1941-1945

Source

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/%22Eat_the_Basic_Seven_Everyday%22_-_NARA_-_514199.jpg

Relation

Rights

Poster depicting the "Basic Seven" food groups, emphasizing their nutritional benefits. For Further Exploration Please Visit http://bit.ly/QUs7xi

Publisher

National Archives

Contributor

National Archives

Format

Medium: Poster.

Language

English

Type

Poster

Identifier

Basic Seven, Food Groups, Eating, Dietary Guide, World War II

Coverage

United States

Files

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/"Eat_the_Basic_Seven_Everyday"_-_NARA_-_514199.jpg

Reference

Office for Emergency Management. Office of War Information. Domestic Operations Branch. Bureau of Special Services., Eat the Basic Seven Everyday!, National Archives, 1941-1945

Cite As

Office for Emergency Management. Office of War Information. Domestic Operations Branch. Bureau of Special Services., “Eat the Basic Seven Everyday!,” Virtual Museum of Public Service, accessed March 29, 2024, https://vmps.omeka.net/items/show/540.