The Dietary Guidelines are updated by the government every five years to reflect the latest scientific findings about diet, physical activity and health.
Following MyPyramid is the way to put the Dietary Guidelines into practice.
Messages for good health from the Dietary Guidelines
- Feel better today. Stay healthy for tomorrow. The food and physical activity choices you make every day affect your health—how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future.
- Make smart choices from every food group. A healthful eating plan:
Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
Mix up your choices within each food group. Eat a variety of nutrient-packed foods every day from each food group: Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, Milk, and Meat & Beans.
Find your balance between food and physical activity. Regular physical activity is important for your overall health and fitness. It also helps you control body weight by balancing the calories you take in as food with the calories you burn each day. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
Get the most nutrition out of your calories. Choose the most nutrient-rich foods you can from each food group each day—those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients but lower in calories.
To know the Nutrition Facts, use the food label. For a healthier you, use this tool to make smart food choices quickly and easily. Learn how to use the Nutrition Facts panel.
Play it safe with food. Know how to prepare, handle, and store food safely to keep you and your family safe.
Drink alcohol in moderation. Moderate drinking means up to 1 drink a day for women and up to 2 drinks a day for men. Twelve ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits count as a drink.
Get more details on following the Dietary Guidelines.
Get tips and easy, delicious recipes in step with the Dietary Guidelines.