Nutrition

Key Messages from Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published in 2010, include some key messages for healthy eating. These include:

• Balancing Calories
• Foods to Reduce
• Foods to Increase
• Being Active

Here are some points to consider on “Foods to Increase”, brought to you by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion:

• Many Americans do not eat the variety of foods that will provide all needed nutrients while staying within calorie needs.
• Intakes of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products and oils are lower than recommended. As a result, several key nutrients – potassium, dietary fiber, calcium and vitamin D – are of public health concern for both adults and children.
• More emphasis is placed on foods choices that are nutrient dense and from the fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products food groups. These foods can help Americans close nutrient gaps and move toward healthful eating patterns.

Bottom line – eat more vegetables and fruits!

NORPAC is a Community Partner within the USDA Nutrition Communicators Network. For more information go to http://www.choosemyplate.gov/.

Research shows that the nutritional value of processed vegetables is comparable to fresh vegetables. Here are some other helpful links in regard to nutrition and diet.

Nutrition/Diet Resources

Frozen Food Foundation
http://www.frozenfoodfacts.org/

UC Davis Maximizing the Nutritional Value of Fruits and Vegetables
http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/datastorefiles/234-780.pdf

US Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navtype=su&navid=FOOD_NUTRITION

US Department of Human Services 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Dietaryguidelines.htm