Crockett, Latta, Bera, Bice, Pingree, and Walberg Lead Congressional Letter Calling For Inclusion of Water in 'My Plate' Federal Nutrition Guidance

WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) and Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture calling for the inclusion of a water icon to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 'MyPlate' graphic. Previously depicted as the 'food pyramid', the current MyPlate graphic is meant to represent the latest and most accurate nutritional guidance and portion recommendations for average daily food intake, but currently does not include a depiction of water.

"Currently, the MyPlate graphic indicates five food categories that lead to a healthy diet – dairy, fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein," said the members. "The current MyPlate graphic includes dairy (and that should continue), but it does not include water. The addition of a water symbol to MyPlate would put a spotlight on the importance of drinking water and would be a key strategy in helping Americans to consider healthy beverage options, improve diet quality, and positively affect their overall health.

The members continue, "Water — whether tap, bottled, or filtered — is essential to life and is critical to a healthy lifestyle. Adding the water symbol to MyPlate provides an opportunity for conversations about choosing healthy beverage options and developing better lifetime habits. In addition to ensuring that the human body remains hydrated, water provides a defense against a litany of negative health effects including, but not limited to, adverse cognitive and digestive functions, reduced muscle performance, weakened immunity, and fatigue, as well, of course, as being a healthy substitute for beverages that are a risk factor for diet related chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases, heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions, dental caries and more."

Over 50 members from both sides of the aisle have signed the letter, which was sent to Secretary Becerra (HHS) and Secretary Vilsack (Department of Agriculture) today. The full letter, with a complete list of signatories, can be viewed here.