An Illustration of the Chinese Food Guide Plate (2022)

The Chinese Food Guide Plate is designed according to the principles of a balanced diet, describing the food composition and approximate proportions of a single meal. The plate demonstrates a clear and straightforward outline of the food combinations in one meal.

The plate is divided into four sections: cereals and tubers; animal-based foods and soybeans and their products, which are rich in protein; vegetables; and fruits. A cup of milk beside the plate highlights its importance. This plate is applicable to people aged 2 years and above. It describes the basic composition of foods in a single meal.

Compared with the Chinese Food Guide Pagoda, the Plate is more concise, providing a framework for understanding. It uses basic symbols from traditional Chinese culture to express the forms of yin and yang and the most fundamental balance in the ever-evolving process of all things. On one hand, it is easier to remember and comprehend; on the other hand, it also signifies the natural principle of health generation throughout one's daily diet—where complexity and change, ebb and flow, and mutual complementation coexist. People aged 2 years and above can use this structure to plan their meals. Even for vegetarians, it is easy to substitute meat with beans to obtain sufficient protein.