Agriculture Headlines

2010 Dietary Guidelines

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 4:10:29 CST
The federal government considers the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, its 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.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says obesity – is a crisis that we can no longer ignore. 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.

More consumer-friendly advice and tools, including a next generation Food Pyramid, will be released by USDA and HHS in the coming months. The tips will include: 1/ Enjoy your food, but eat less; 2/ Avoid oversized portion; 3/ Make half your plate fruits and vegetables; 4/ Switch to fat-free or low-fat (one-percent ) milk; 5/ Choose foods with lower sodium content; and 6/ Drink water instead of sugary drinks.