Every five years a pamphlet known as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is published by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services. The effort is to promote nutrition literacy for Americans to achieve an ideal diet and maintain their health.
On Monday Jan. 31, 2011 the seventh edition, and what has been called the bluntest of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, was released. The report asks Americans to do three things: sustain a healthy calorie balance at each stage of life in an effort to maintain a healthy weight, eat nutrient-rich foods and get more exercise.
The report acknowledges the lack of resources, be it the knowledge or money, that has kept Americans from getting proper, nutritious food. In examining this, the report goes in depth to explain food and beverage choices, proper levels of nutrients per person per age and proper amounts of exercise.
Maintaining the basic points: a healthy calorie balance and weight and consuming nutrient-dense foods and beverages will help people avoid chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney disease.
Taking care of yourself and family through proper eating habits and exercise regimens now will help save on costly and possibly traumatic health-related issues later. No matter where you are currently on the health spectrum, there is no better time than the present to start making healthy choices. To learn more about the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans visit the Department of Health and Human Services’ resource guide.
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