What are the dietary guidelines?

Answer 1

The dietary guidelines are a set of suggestions designed to help people develop healthy eating habits and increase physical activity levels.

• Use up at least as many calories as you take in.
• Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity for adults but for young kids who are not fully grown 60 minutes
• Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
• Choose whole-grain, high-fiber foods.
• Eat fish at least twice a week.
• Limit how much saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol you eat.
• Select fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products.. but for children less than 2 they should get 2% milk unless they are a newborn
• Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.
• Cut back on beverages and foods high in calories and low in nutrition, such as soft drinks and foods with added sugar.
• Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt.
• If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation/no smoking.

Answer 2

There are several food nutrition guidelines.

The EatWise Pyramid is a new visual guide to healthy living. It emphasizes such things as a balanced diet, plenty of water, regular physical activity, and drinking alcohol (beer, wine or distilled spirits) in moderation on a daily basis.

The EatWise Pyramid is a science-based alternative to the politically influenced U.S. government's Food Guide Pyramid. EatWise was created by leading nutritionists from Harvard and other universities rather than being influenced by the Egg Board, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Dairy Council, the Wheat Foods Council, and other special interest groups.

Because the EatWise Pyramid is based on scientific evidence, it recommends greater use of plant and vegetable oils instead of animal fats, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture pyramid lumps together in spite of their great differences.

Similarly, the EatWise Pyramid recommends exercise and moderate alcohol consumption (beer, wine and distilled spirits) on a daily basis. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans also recommends exercise and moderate consumption of alcohol, but these are omitted from the US.D.A. pyramid.

Answer 3

This is the 2010 report: I did not write this, I copied it off the official site.

"USDA and HHS Announce New Dietary Guidelines to Help Americans Make Healthier Food Choices and Confront Obesity Epidemic

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2011 - Agriculture Secretary TomVilsack and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the federal government's evidence-based nutritional guidance to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity.

Because more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, the 7th edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity.

"The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are being released at a time when the majority of adults and one in three children is overweight or obese and this is a crisis that we can no longer ignore," said Secretary Vilsack. "These new and improved dietary recommendations give individuals the information to make thoughtful choices of healthier foods in the right portions and to complement those choices with physical activity. The bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of developing diet-related chronic disease. Improving our eating habits is not only good for every individual and family, but also for our country."

The new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans focus on balancing calories with physical activity, and encourage Americans to consume more healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood, and to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains.

"Helping Americans incorporate these guidelines into their everyday lives is important to improving the overall health of the American people," said HHS Secretary Sebelius. "The new Dietary Guidelines provide concrete action steps to help people live healthier, more physically active and longer lives."

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans include 23 Key Recommendations for the general population and six additional Key Recommendations for specific population groups, such as women who are pregnant. Key Recommendations are the most important messages within the Guidelines in terms of their implications for improving public health. The recommendations are

intended as an integrated set of advice to achieve an overall healthy eating pattern. To get the full benefit, all Americans should carry out the Dietary Guidelines recommendations in their entirety.

More consumer-friendly advice and tools, including a next generation Food Pyramid, will be released by USDA and HHS in the coming months. Below is a preview of some of the tips that will be provided to help consumers translate the Dietary Guidelinesinto their everyday lives:

• Enjoy your food, but eat less.

• Avoid oversized portions.

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals - and choose the foods with lower numbers.

• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

This edition of the Dietary Guidelines comes at a critical juncture for America's health and prosperity. By adopting the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines, Americans can live healthier lives and contribute to a lowering of health-care costs, helping to strengthen America's long-term economic competitiveness and overall productivity.

USDA and HHS have conducted this latest review of the scientific literature, and have developed and issued the 7th edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in a joint effort that is mandated by Congress. The Guidelines form the basis of nutrition education programs, Federal nutrition assistance programs such as school meals programs and Meals on Wheels programs for seniors, and dietary advice provided by health professionals.

The Dietary Guidelines, based on the most sound scientific information, provide authoritative advice for people 2 years and older about how proper dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.

The Dietary Guidelines aid policymakers in designing and implementing nutrition-related programs. They also provide education and health professionals, such as nutritionists, dietitians, and health educators with a compilation of the latest science-based recommendations."

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines is available at www.dietaryguidelines.gov.

For more information on dietary guidelines, see www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines and www.healthfinder.gov/prevention

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410

Answer 4

Don't eat anything pre-packaged, cook from scratch, and eat 6 small meals a day. All food should fall under categories such as diary, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products. Balance your meals. Eat enough fiber, protein, and carbs (yes, carbs too!) Try getting 100% your daily vitamins through eating colorfull varieties of healthy food. Make sure you excersize 1 hour a day. However, make sure you don't stress too much about it, unhappiness and stress is never healthy

Answer 5

A day : 1 meat or alternative, 2/3 dairy products,