Government Releases New Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services have released the 2010 edition of their Dietary Guidelines for Americans policy document. The new Guidelines 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.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 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 new policy document includes 23 Key Recommendations for the general population and six additional Key Recommendations for specific population groups, such as women who are pregnant. The recommendations are intended as an integrated set of advice to achieve an overall healthy eating pattern. A table with key consumer behaviors and potential strategies for professionals to use in implementing the Dietary Guidelines is included in the policy document’s appendix.