population, intake of many of these food groups was not that different. In a recent publication from the National Cancer
Institute, 90% of adult females from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database do not meet the minimum recommendations for whole grains, dairy, fruit, or orangeand dark green leafy vegetables.41 The majority of adult males and adolescents also did not meet the dietary guidelines for many nutrient-rich food groups; although an overconsumption of fats and added sugars was ubiquitous. The US Department of Agriculture recently shifted its recommendations away from the “pyramid” structure to the “my plate”approach (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/). Perhaps this approach will provide all Americans, including subjects with thalassemia, a simpler way to plan their meals and meet their
overall dietary guidelines.