ABCs of healthy eating

Citing eating "one of life's greatest pleasures," the latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans offers the following 10 recommendations for good health:

Aim for Fitness:

• Aim for a healthy weight.
  
• Be physically active each day.
  

Build a Healthy Base:

• Let the Pyramid guide your food choices.
  
• Choose a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains. 
  
• Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.
  
• Keep food safe to eat.

Choose Sensibly:

• Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat.
  
• Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars.
• Choose and prepare foods with less salt.
  
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.

The Dietary Guidelines provide the basis for the Food Guide Pyramid and federal nutrition policy and programs.

First published in 1980, the Dietary Guidelines are updated every five years based on the recommendations of an 11-member Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee who evaluate advances in medical and scientific research. 

Dr. Cutberto Garza of Cornell University, the advisory committee chair for the newest edition of the guidelines, is a former CNRC assistant director. CNRC director, Dr. Dennis Bier, was a member of the 1995 committee.

To learn more about the new dietary guidelines, see www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/. To obtain a copy, send a check or money order for $4.75 to Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009.