Dietary Goals For American People

In early 1977, after years of discussion, scientific review, and debate, the US Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, led by Senator George McGovern, recommended Dietary Goals for the American people (US Senate Select Committee, 1977). The Goals consisted of complementary nutrient-based and food-based recommendations. The first Goal focused on energy balance and recommended that, to avoid overweight, Americans should consume only as much energy as they expended. Overweight Americans should consume less energy and expend more energy. For the nutrient-based Goals, the Senate Committee recommended that Americans:

Increase consumption of complex carbohydrates and "naturally occurring sugars; “and

Reduce consumption of refined and

The members were nominated by the public and selected for their expertise. In addition to general knowledge of the field of human nutrition and chronic disease, members had specialized knowledge in subject areas such as overweight and obesity, physical activity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, pediatrics, epidemiology, general medicine, public health, nutrition education, and food safety and technology.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines were prepared in a three-stage process. In the first, a 13-member Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee drew up a report based on the best available science. In the second, government scientists and officials reviewed the advisory committee's report and based on the report and agency and public comments, developed the Dietary Guidelines. In the third stage, experts worked to translate the Dietary Guidelines into meaningful messages for the public and educators.

The Dietary Guidelines allow government to speak with one voice to the public when presenting advice about proper dietary habits for healthy Americans ages two years of age and older and how to make food and physical activity choices to promote health and prevent chronic

Control total calorie intake to manage body weight. For people who are overweight or obese, this will mean consuming fewer calories from foods and beverages.

Increase physical activity and reduce time spent in sedentary behaviors.

Maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life—childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and older age.

Consume a healthy eating pattern that accounts for all foods and beverages within an appropriate calorie level.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines emphasizes the importance of eating patterns as a whole — the combination of foods and drinks that that people consume over time. This edition highlights evidence about the synergistic and potentially cumulative impact of eating patterns on a person’s health and risk of chronic disease.A healthy eating pattern includes:cc

2]

• A variety of vegetables from all of the subgroups—dark green, red and orange, legumes (beans and peas), starchy, and other

• Fruits, especially whole fruits

• Grains, at least half of which are whole grains

• Fat-free or low-fat dairy, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and/or fortified soy