The government announced its latest dietary guidelines on Thursday, recommending limiting sugar and saturated fat, eating less salt and more vegetables and whole grains.
The guidelines have been updated every five years since 1980 and include a report on current eating patterns. “Most Americans would benefit from shifting food choices both within and across food groups and from current food choices to nutrient-dense choices,” the guidelines note. They specifically mention that most Americans consume too many calories and don’t get enough exercise.
The reason the guidelines are updated periodically is because our knowledge of food and diet increases. The guidelines reflect the science behind healthy eating to reduce obesity and prevent chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
It all boils down to a healthy eating pattern and remembering “everything in moderation.”