The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services recently released the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are intended for Americans age two and older, including those at increased risk of chronic disease. These recommendations are based on current scientific evidence and are intended to promote health, lower the risk of chronic disease and decrease the incidence ofoverweight and obesity through better nutrition practices and physical activity.
The new recommendations emphasize calorie balance. This can be achieved by working on three areas: balancing calories, increasing intake of more healthful foods and decreasing the intake of less healthful foods.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide basic guidance on healthy eating and physical activity for good health. Making lifestyle changes can be difficult. Barriers such as food preferences, limited access to health foods and opportunity to be physically active can get in the way of doing what is recommended. Taking small steps to good health, however, is a great way to get started on the road to eating healthy and being active.
Take the first step towards following the 2010 Dietary Guidelines by trying one or more of these six suggestions:
- Enjoy your food, but eat less;
- Avoid oversized portions;
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables;
- Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) dairy products;
- Choose lower sodium items by comparing sodium amounts in foods like soup, bread and frozen meals; and
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks. View the "Families, Food & Fitness" Interactive Beverage Guide to Sugars for more information on the "added" sugars in some of your favorite drinks!
When trying to make lifestyle changes it is best to focus on one or two changes at a time. This can help reduce feelings of frustration while increasing the likelihood of maintaining these healthful behaviors.
Families, Food and Fitness offers helpful information in six behavior areas related to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Each of these behaviors supports the recently released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:
Enjoy More Fruits and Vegetables
Move More Everyday
Prepare and Eat More Meals at Home
Rethink Your Drink
Right Size Your Portions
Tame the Tube
For additional information supporting the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, visit:
- Adding Whole Grains to Recipes
- Increase Physical Activity
- Reduce Sodium in Your Daily Vegetable Intake
- Substitute Whole Grains for Refined
- Take Your First Steps to Follow New Dietary Guidelines
- Ten Things You Can Do Now to Maintain Calorie Balance and Sustain a Healthy Weight
- The Top Foods to Swap, Substitute, Shrink, or Sneak-in to Reduce Added Sugars and Solid Fats in Your Diet
- What is Nutrient Density?
