Sources of Credible Nutrition and Fitness Information

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Provide science-based nutrition and fitness information.

Revised every 5 years.

1. Build a Healthy Plate

Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate or in your cup or bowl. Foods like vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein foods contain the nutrient you need without too many calories.

Build a Healthy Plate

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Eat red, orange, and dark-

green vegetables, such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, in main dishes and side dishes.

Eat fruits and vegetables, or unsalted nuts as snacks-they are nature’s original fast foods.

Build a Healthy Plate

Switch to skim or 1% milk. Have the same

amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but less fat and calories.

Build a Healthy Plate

Make at least half your grains whole. Choose 100% whole-

grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice and pasta.

Check the ingredients list on food packages to find whole-grain foods.

Build a Healthy Plate

Vary your protein food choices. Twice a week, make

seafood the protein on your plate.

Eat beans, which are a natural source of fiber and protein

Keep meat and poultry portions small and lean.

2. Cut Back on Foods High in Solid Fats, Added Sugars, and Salt. Many people eat foods with too much solid

fats, added sugars, and salt (sodium). Added sugars and fats load foods with

extra calories you don’t need. Too much sodium may increase your

blood pressure.

2. Cut Back on Foods High in Solid Fats, Added Sugars, and Salt. Choose food and drinks

with little or no added sugars Drink water instead of

sugary drinks. There are about 10 packets of sugar in a 12-oz can of soda.

Select fruit for dessert. Eat sugary desserts less often.

Choose 100% fruit juice instead of fruit-flavored drinks.

2. Cut Back on Foods High in Solid Fats, Added Sugars, and Salt.

Look out for salt (sodium) in foods you buy Compare sodium in foods

like soup, bread, and frozen meals-and choose the foods with lower numbers.

Add spices or herbs to season food without adding salt.

2. Cut Back on Foods High in Solid Fats, Added Sugars, and Salt. Eat fewer foods that are high

in solid fats. Make major sources of

saturated fats-such as cakes, cookies, ice cream, pizza, cheese, sausages and hot dogs-occasional choices, not everyday foods.

Select lean cuts of meats or poultry and fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese.

Switch from sold fats to oils when preparing foods.

Sodium

Age 51 and under- less than 2,300 mg/day Age 51 and over- less than 1,500 mg/day African Americans, those with

hypertension, those with diabetes or kidney disease- less than 1,500 mg/day

Fats

Less than 10% of calories from saturated fats. Replace with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Limit Trans Fatty Acids. Cholesterol- less than 300 mg/day

3. Eat The Right Amount of Calories for You Everyone has a personal calorie limit.

Staying within yours can help you get to or maintain a healthy weight.

People who are successful at managing their weight have found ways to keep track of how much they eat in a day, even if they don’t count every calorie.

3. Eat The Right Amount of Calories for You Enjoy your food but eat less.

Get your personal daily calorie limit at www.ChooseMyPlate.gov. and keep that number in mind when deciding what to eat.

Think before you eat…is it worth the calories?

Avoid oversized portions. Use a smaller plate, bowl and

glass. Stop eating when you are

satisfied, not full.

3. Eat The Right Amount of Calories for You

Cook more often at home, where YOU are in control of what’s in your food.

3. Eat The Right Amount of Calories for You When eating out, choose

lower calorie menu options. Check posted calorie

amounts. Choose dishes that include

vegetables, fruits, and/or whole grains.

Order a smaller portion or share when eating out.

3. Eat The Right Amount of Calories for You Write down what you

eat to keep track of how much you eat.

4. Be Physically Active Your Way

Pick activities that you like and start by doing what you can, at least 10 minutes at a time. Every bit adds up, and the health benefits increase as you spend more time being active.

Recommendations

Children 2-5 years- play actively several times a day

Children 6-17 years- 60+ minutes of physical activity every day.

Adults 18-64 years- at least 150 min/week

Adults 65 and older-follow adult guidelines

Recommendations for Specific Groups Women capable of becoming pregnant

Choose foods that provide iron. 400 mg/day of folic acid.

Recommendations for Specific Groups Women who are pregnant or

breastfeeding8-12 oz of seafood per week. Do not eat tilefish, shark, swordfish and king

mackerel (due to mercury levels)Take iron supplements

Recommendations for Specific Groups Individuals age 50 and older

Reduce sodium intake to 1,500 mg/dayConsume foods fortified with vitamin B12 such

as fortified cereals.

Use Food Labels to Help You Make Better Choices

Most packaged foods have a Nutrition Facts label and an ingredients list.

Check for calories. Be sure to look at the serving size and how many servings you are actually consuming. If you double the servings you eat, you double the calories.

Use Food Labels to Help You Make Better Choices

Choose foods with lower calories, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium.

Use Food Labels to Help You Make Better Choices Check for added sugars

using the ingredients list. When a sugar is close to

first on the ingredients list, the food is high in added sugars.

Some names for added sugars include: sucrose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, maple syrup and fructose.

ChooseMyPlate

Introducing the New Food Icon: MyPlate - YouTube

Fruits (Red)

Fruits are important sources of potassium dietary fiber vitamin C folate

Fruits: What Counts?

1 medium bunch of grapes (about 50) =

1½ cups fruit

1 large banana =1 cup fruit

¼ cup raisins =½ cup fruit

1 small apple =1 cup fruit

Vegetables (Green)

Vegetables are important sources of potassium dietary fiber folate vitamin A vitamin E vitamin C

Vegetables: What Counts?

½ cup broccoli =½ cup dark green

vegetables

½ cup kidney beans =½ cup dry beans

and peas

1 medium baked potato =

1 cup starchy vegetables

1 cup baby carrots =1 cup orange vegetables

Grains (Orange)

Grains are important sources of dietary fiber B vitamins folate iron magnesium selenium

Grains: What Counts?

7 saltine crackers =1 ounce equivalent

1 cup cornflakes cereal =

1 ounce equivalent

1 slice of whole wheat bread =

1 ounce equivalent

½ cup brown rice =1 ounce equivalent

Protein (Purple)

Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts are important sources of protein B vitamins vitamin E iron zinc magnesium

Meat and Beans: What Counts?

½ cup cooked black beans =

2 ounce equivalents meat and beans

1 ounce cashews (about 13) =

2 ounce equivalents meat and beans

5 ounce beef strip steak =

5 ounce equivalents meat and beans

6 ounce salmon steak =

6 ounce equivalents meat and beans

Dairy (Blue)

Milk, yogurt, and cheese are important sources of calcium potassium vitamin D Protein

Choose milk products that are fat-free or low-fat.

Milk: What Counts?

2 slices swiss cheese, ¾ ounce each =

1 cup milk

½ cup frozen yogurt =½ cup milk

8 fluid ounces yogurt =1 cup milk

8 fluid ounces milk =1 cup milk

Oils and Empty Calories

Oils are NOT a food group, but they provide essential nutrients. Therefore, oils are included in USDA food patterns.

Some common oils are: canola oil corn oil cottonseed oil olive oil safflower oil soybean oil sunflower oil

Oils and Empty Calories

Currently, many of the foods and beverages Americans eat and drink contain empty calories – calories from solid fats and/or added sugars. Solid fats and added sugars add calories to the food but few or no nutrients. For this reason, the calories from solid fats and added sugars in a food are often called empty calories

Foods and Beverages that Provide the Most Empty Calories Cakes, cookies, pastries, and donuts (contain both solid

fat and added sugars)  Sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and fruit drinks

(contain added sugars)  Cheese (contains solid fat)  Pizza (contains solid fat)  Ice cream (contains both solid fat and added sugars)  Sausages, hot dogs, bacon, and ribs (contain solid fat)

Visit www.ChooseMyPlate.gov

USDA's MyPlate - Home page