Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a set of recommendations made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases through diet and physical activity. The guidelines are updated every five years.

Overview

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are designed to help people aged 2 years and older improve their overall eating patterns — the complete combination of foods and drinks in their diet. The guidelines suggest that a healthy eating pattern includes:

• A variety of vegetables from all of the subgroups — dark green, red and orange, legumes (beans and peas), starchy, and other
• Fruits, especially whole fruits
• Grains, at least half of which are whole grains
• Fat-free or low-fat dairy, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and/or fortified soy beverages
• A variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), and nuts, seeds, and soy products
• Oils

Key Recommendations

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans also include key recommendations for specific population groups, such as women who are pregnant. These guidelines are based on the most current scientific evidence and are intended to help people make healthy food and beverage choices.

Importance

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as the basis for federal food and nutrition education programs. They are used to develop educational materials and aid policymakers in designing and carrying out nutrition-related programs, including federal food, nutrition education, and information programs.

See Also

• Healthy Eating
• Nutrition
• Physical Activity
• Chronic Diseases

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