UA Matters: What You Should Know about New Dietary Guidelines

Sheena Quizon Gregg
Sheena Quizon Gregg

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans debuted only months ago after its last update in 2010. Though the previous guidelines focused primarily on individual components, the 2015-2020 edition provides five broader guidelines that take into account that consumers’ food and nutrition choices are affected by a variety of factors, and thus attainable by an adaptable framework, said The University of Alabama’s Sheena Quizon Gregg.

According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the five general guidelines are as follows:

  • Follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan. All food and beverage choices matter. Choose a healthy eating pattern at an appropriate calorie level to help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, support nutrient adequacy and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
  • Focus on variety, nutrient density and amount. To meet nutrient needs within calorie limits, choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within all food groups in recommended amounts.
  • Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats, and reduce sodium intake. Consume an eating pattern low in added sugars, saturated fats and sodium. Cut back on foods and beverages higher in these components to amounts that fit within healthy eating patterns.
  • Shift to healthier food and beverage choices. Choose nutrient-dense foods and beverages across, and within, all food groups in place of less healthy choices. Consider cultural and personal preferences to make these shifts easier to accomplish and maintain.
  • Support healthy eating patterns for all. Everyone has a role in helping to create and support healthy eating patterns in multiple settings nationwide, from home to school to work to communities.

Though the newest guidelines are broad, there are several measurable key recommendations that should be taken into consideration. These recommendations include consuming less than 10 percent of calories per day from added sugars and saturated fats, consuming less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, and limiting alcohol to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men for those of legal age.

No matter which guidelines you decide to implement in your diet, your registered dietitian or physician can help you determine which recommendations should be prioritized in order to achieve your personal health goals.

For more information on the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, visit http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/.

Quizon Gregg is the assistant director of Health Education and Prevention for UA’s Office of Health Promotion and Wellness.uamatters_logo-thumb