Myplate , the USDA’s newest nutrition icon tells us to, “Enjoy our food, but eat less.” This statement assumes that every American overeats, and this is not so. There are plenty of people that eat just the right amount of food, and even more people don’t eat enough.

Marion Nestle, a nutrition professor says that “the new guidelines” give “good advice” about what to do with the obesity problem in the U.S. Nestle believes that we’ve finally realized that “eating less is a priority”. But what Nestle and many others are ignoring is the massive and growing eating disorder population.

Around 10 million females and 1 million males in the United States are battling an eating disorder. Anorexia has the highest death rate of any psychiatric illness (Including depression). 5-10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease and 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years.

The idea of “enjoying [our] food, but [eating] less” is a harmful stereotype and may do more damage than good. The Center for Eating disorders at Sheppard Pratt says that “The reigning factor in MyPlate seems to be focused on control” and control is one of the main causes of eating disorders. “Eat less”, to someone who already doesn’t eat enough, may cause an even greater nutritional problem.

The message should be, “Enjoy your food and eat healthy” instead of “Enjoy your food, but eat less”, which is a stereotypical and potentially dangerous guideline.