The USDA and Department of Health and Human Services updated the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 on January 31, 2011. You might be asking, “what are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and why do I care?” Well, they are evidenced-based nutritional guidelines that the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services have come up with to promote the health of Americans, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity.
The new guidelines emphasize:
Balancing Calories
Enjoy your food, but eat less
Avoid over-sized portions
Foods to Increase:
Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables
Switch to low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk
Foods to Reduce:
Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals and choose the ones with the lowest numbers
Drink water instead of sugary drinks
For more information, check out http://www.dietaryguidelines.gov.
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