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Just days before the calendar turned to 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This document is updated and published every five years with the intent of presenting the most current scientific evidence about what people should eat and drink to promote health, meet nutritional needs and reduce the risk of chronic disease. And with more than half of all adults in America affected by a diet-related chronic illness, this is more important than ever.
This blog introduces three things you should know about the new oneguidelines,which you can read in full at www.dietaryguidelines.gov. It is important to note that key values such as macronutrient recommendations and general guidelines are consistent with the previous edition of theGuidelines.
When following a nutrition plan – what theGuidelinesname a dietary pattern - based on this document is a safe and effective way to approach nutrition and long-term health and wellness. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any nutrient deficiencies or special requirements based on your specific health condition.
1. They cover all phases of life, from childhood to old age.
No matter your age, it's never too late or too early to start a healthy diet. TheGuidelinescontain nutritional recommendations for all stages of life - infants and young children, children and adolescents, adults, pregnant or breastfeeding women and older adults.
TheGuidelinesprovide three frameworks that can serve as starting points for healthier eating – the US-style healthy eating pattern, the Mediterranean-style healthy eating pattern, and the healthy vegetarian eating pattern.
Each of these can be customized to suit your specific needs and preferences. These guidelines should be viewed as an adaptable framework that can be modified to best support optimal health, rather than a rigid instruction outlining exactly which foods, nutrients, food groups and amounts you should eat and drink.
2. They recommend nutrient-dense foods and beverages within calorie limits, taking into account personal preferences, cultural differences and financial considerations.
Nutrient-rich foods and drinks provide minerals, vitamins and other health-promoting elements with little or no added sugar, sodium or saturated fat. TheGuidelinescontain recommendations for food groups - vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products, protein foods and oils - that form the core elements of a healthy eating pattern at every stage of life. The challenge is eating enough of these nutrient-dense foods while maintaining appropriate calorie limits.
Following a healthy dietary pattern does not leave much room for added sugars, saturated fat and sodium, but small amounts can be added to nutrient-dense foods and drinks to achieve food group recommendations. Most of the calories you need to consume each day (about 85%) are needed to meet food group recommendations in a healthy way, leaving about 15% of your calories for less healthy choices.
Use of theguidelines,Specific food and beverage selections can be made to support individual needs and preferences while respecting the unique dietary practices of different cultures. The key is to start with your personal preferences, incorporate cultural traditions, and take budget considerations into account.
3. They promote real behavior change.
The slogan for the2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americansis “Make every bite count with thisDietary Guidelines", reflecting a change in the way this document approaches nutrition. In fact, this version of theGuidelinesfits perfectly with ACE's focus on long-term behavior change and the goal of making the best, healthiest choices at every opportunity.
Adopting and maintaining a healthy eating pattern often feels like an overwhelming task that must be mastered perfectly to be effective. In this latest version of theguidelines,The emphasis is on taking small steps every day and with every choice of food and drink to achieve a healthier and more enjoyable way of eating. You can view every meal or snack as an opportunity to make the healthiest choice. TheGuidelinessuggest making healthy choices one day at a time and nutrient-dense choices one food at a time.
To turn it aroundGuidelinesto a more practical and actionable resource, check out My plate. This consumer-focused tool can help you customize theGuidelinesto suit your personal preferences, cultural traditions and eating habits, and budget considerations to achieve healthy eating habits.