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Dietary Guidelines
for Americans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.dietaryguidelines.gov

This publication may be viewed and downloaded from the Internet at www.dietaryguidelines.gov.
Suggested citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. 7th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government
Printing Office, December 2010.
The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) prohibit
discrimination in all their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age,
disability and, where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion,
sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an
individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply
to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication
of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA,
Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410,
or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA and HHS are equal opportunity
providers and employers.
December 2010

Message froM the secretaries
�
We are pleased to present the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. Based on the most recent
scientific evidence review, this document provides information and advice for choosing a
healthy eating pattern—namely, one that focuses on nutrient-dense foods and beverages, and
that contributes to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Such a healthy eating pattern
also embodies food safety principles to avoid foodborne illness.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are intended to be used in developing educational materials and
aiding policymakers in designing and carrying out nutrition-related programs, including Federal
nutrition assistance and education programs. The Dietary Guidelines also serve as the basis
for nutrition messages and consumer materials developed by nutrition educators and health
professionals for the general public and specific audiences, such as children.
This document is based on the recommendations put forward by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines
Advisory Committee. The Committee was composed of scientific experts who reviewed and
analyzed the most current information on diet and health and incorporated it into a scientific,
evidence-based report. We want to thank them and the other public and private professionals
who assisted in developing this document for their hard work and dedication.
Our knowledge about nutrition, the food and physical activity environment, and health
continues to grow, reflecting an evolving body of evidence. It is clear that healthy eating
patterns and regular physical activity are essential for normal growth and development and for
reducing risk of chronic disease. The goal of the Dietary Guidelines is to put this knowledge
to work by facilitating and promoting healthy eating and physical activity choices, with the
ultimate purpose of improving the health of all Americans ages 2 years and older.
We are releasing the seventh edition of the Dietary Guidelines at a time of rising concern about
the health of the American population. Americans are experiencing an epidemic of overweight
and obesity. Poor diet and physical inactivity also are linked to major causes of illness and
death. To correct these problems, many Americans must make significant changes in their
eating habits and lifestyles. This document recognizes that all sectors of society, including
individuals and families, educators and health professionals, communities, organizations,
businesses, and policymakers, contribute to the food and physical activity environments in
which people live. We all have a role to play in reshaping our environment so that healthy
choices are easy and accessible for all.
Today, more than ever, consumers need sound advice to make informed food and activity
decisions. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines will help Americans choose a nutritious diet within
their calorie needs. We believe that following the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines
will assist many Americans to live longer, healthier, and more active lives.

Thomas J. Vilsack
Secretary of Agriculture

Kathleen Sebelius
Secretary of Health and Human Services

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

acknowledgMents
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services acknowledge the work of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee whose
recommendations formed the basis for this edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
dietary guidelines advisory committee Members
Linda Van Horn, PhD, RD, LD; Naomi K. Fukagawa, MD, PhD; Cheryl Achterberg, PhD;
Lawrence J. Appel, MD, MPH; Roger A. Clemens, DrPH; Miriam E. Nelson, PhD; Sharon
(Shelly) M. Nickols-Richardson, PhD, RD; Thomas A. Pearson, MD, PhD, MPH; Rafael PérezEscamilla, PhD; F. Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD, MPH; Eric B. Rimm, ScD; Joanne L. Slavin, PhD, RD;
Christine L. Williams, MD, MPH.
The Departments also acknowledge the work of the departmental scientists, staff, and policy
officials responsible for the production of this document.
Policy officials
USDA: Kevin W. Concannon; Rajen S. Anand, DVM, PhD; Robert C. Post, PhD, MEd, MSc.
HHS: Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH; Penelope Slade-Sawyer, PT, MSW, RADM, USPHS.
Policy document writing staff
Carole A. Davis, MS; Kathryn Y. McMurry, MS; Patricia Britten, PhD, MS; Eve V. Essery, PhD;
Kellie M. O’Connell, PhD, RD; Paula R. Trumbo, PhD; Rachel R. Hayes, MPH, RD; Colette I.
Rihane, MS, RD; Julie E. Obbagy, PhD, RD; Patricia M. Guenther, PhD, RD; Jan Barrett Adams,
MS, MBA, RD; Shelley Maniscalco, MPH, RD; Donna Johnson-Bailey, MPH, RD; Anne Brown
Rodgers, Scientific Writer/Editor.
Policy document reviewers/technical assistance
Jackie Haven, MS, RD; Joanne Spahn, MS, RD; Shanthy Bowman, PhD; Holly H. McPeak, MS;
Shirley Blakely, PhD, RD; Kristin L. Koegel, MBA, RD; Kevin Kuczynski, MS, RD; Kristina Davis,
MS, MPH; Jane Fleming; David Herring, MS; Linda Cleveland, MS, RD.
The Departments would like to acknowledge the important role of those who provided input
and public comments throughout this process. Finally, the Departments acknowledge the
contributions of numerous other internal departmental and external scientists and staff who
contributed to the production of this document, including the members of the Independent
Scientific Review Panel, who peer reviewed the recommendations of the document to ensure
they were based on the preponderance of the scientific evidence.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

iii

contents
executive summary.................................................................................................. viii
�
chapter 1 introduction.................................................................................................1
�
Developing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 ............................................................2
�
A Roadmap to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 ......................................................4
�
Sources of Information.......................................................................................................... 5
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Importance of the Dietary Guidelines for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention .......5
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Uses of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010....................................................................6
�
Development of Educational Materials and Communications................................... 6
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Development of Nutrition-Related Programs.................................................................. 6
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Development of Authoritative Statements...................................................................... 7
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chapter 2 Balancing calories to Manage weight...................................................... 8
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Key Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 9
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An Epidemic of Overweight and Obesity.................................................................................. 9
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Contributing to the Epidemic: An Obesogenic Environment ............................................. 10
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Current Dietary Intake .................................................................................................................. 11
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Calorie Balance: Food and Beverage Intake .............................................................................13
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Understanding Calorie Needs ............................................................................................13
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Carbohydrate, Protein, Fat, and Alcohol ......................................................................... 14
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Does Macronutrient Proportion Make a Difference for Body Weight?
�
Individual Foods and Beverages and Body Weight .......................................................15
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Placing Individual Food Choices Into an Overall Eating Pattern ................................16
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Calorie Balance: Physical Activity ..............................................................................................17
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Principles for Promoting Calorie Balance and Weight Management ...............................17
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Improving Public Health Through Diet and Physical Activity .............................................19
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chapter 3 foods and food components to reduce .................................................20
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Key Recommendations .................................................................................................................21
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Supporting the Recommendations ............................................................................................21
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Sodium......................................................................................................................................21
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Fats ...........................................................................................................................................24
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Saturated Fatty Acids
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Trans Fatty Acids
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Cholesterol
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Calories From Solid Fats and Added Sugars ..................................................................27
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Solid Fats
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Added Sugars
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Why Solid Fats and Added Sugars Are a Particular Concern
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Refined Grains .......................................................................................................................29
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Alcohol ....................................................................................................................................30
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Chapter Summary .........................................................................................................................32
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DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

chapter 4 foods and nutrients to increase............................................................. 33
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Key Recommendations ................................................................................................................34
�
Recommendations for Specific Population Groups .....................................................34
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Supporting the Recommendations ...........................................................................................35
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Vegetables and Fruits ..........................................................................................................35
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Grains.......................................................................................................................................36
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Whole Grains
�
Milk and Milk Products .......................................................................................................38
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Protein Foods .........................................................................................................................38
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Seafood
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Oils ...........................................................................................................................................39
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Nutrients of Concern .......................................................................................................... 40
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Potassium
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Dietary Fiber
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Calcium
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Vitamin D
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Additional Nutrients of Concern for Specific Groups
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Chapter Summary .........................................................................................................................42
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chapter 5 Building healthy eating Patterns............................................................43
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Key Recommendations ................................................................................................................43
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Research Informs Us about Healthy Eating Patterns .......................................................... 44
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Research on Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) .......................... 44
�
Research on Mediterranean-Style Eating Patterns ..................................................... 44
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Research on Vegetarian Eating Patterns.........................................................................45
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Common Elements of the Healthy Eating Patterns Examined..................................45
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Principles for Achieving a Healthy Eating Pattern ............................................................... 46
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Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods ...................................................................................... 46
�
Remember that Beverages Count.....................................................................................47
�
Follow Food Safety Principles ........................................................................................... 48
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Consider the Role of Supplements and Fortified Foods..............................................49
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Putting the Principles for a Healthy Eating Pattern Into Action ....................................... 50
�
USDA Food Patterns ........................................................................................................... 50
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Vegetarian Adaptations of the USDA Food Patterns ..................................................52
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DASH Eating Plan .................................................................................................................53
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Chapter Summary .........................................................................................................................53
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chapter 6 helping americans Make healthy choices ............................................ 55
�
A Call to Action .............................................................................................................................57
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Ensure that All Americans Have Access to Nutritious Foods and

Opportunities for Physical Activity ............................................................................57
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Facilitate Individual Behavior Change Through Environmental Strategies ............58
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Set the Stage for Lifelong Healthy Eating, Physical Activity,

and Weight Management Behaviors...........................................................................58
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Chapter Summary .........................................................................................................................59
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Resource List ..................................................................................................................................59
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DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

appendices
�
appendix 1 Guidance for Specific Population Groups...................................................61

appendix 2 Key Consumer Behaviors and Potential Strategies for

Professionals to Use in Implementing the 2010 Dietary Guidelines..........................62

appendix 3 Food Safety Principles and Guidance for Consumers ............................69

appendix 4 Using the Food Label to Track Calories, Nutrients, and Ingredients.....73
�
appendix 5 Nutritional Goals for Age-Gender Groups, Based on

Dietary Reference Intakes and Dietary Guidelines Recommendations.....................76
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appendix 6 Estimated Calorie Needs per Day by Age, Gender, and
�
Physical Activity Level (Detailed) .......................................................................................78
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appendix 7 USDA Food Patterns.......................................................................................79

appendix 8 Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Adaptation of the USDA Food Patterns...........81
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appendix 9 Vegan Adaptation of the USDA Food Patterns .......................................82

appendix 10 The DASH Eating Plan at Various Calorie Levels..................................83
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appendix 11 Estimated EPA and DHA and Mercury Content in 4 Ounces

of Selected Seafood Varieties...............................................................................................85
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appendix 12 Selected Food Sources Ranked by Amounts of Potassium

and Calories per Standard Food Portion............................................................................87

appendix 13 Selected Food Sources Ranked by Amounts of Dietary

Fiber and Calories per Standard Food Portion .................................................................88
�
appendix 14 Selected Food Sources Ranked by Amounts of Calcium

and Calories per Standard Food Portion............................................................................89

appendix 15 Selected Food Sources Ranked by Amounts of Vitamin D

and Calories per Standard Food Portion........................................................................... 90

appendix 16 Glossary of Terms ..........................................................................................91
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DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

list of tables
table 2-1 Obesity in America…Then and Now ............................................................... 10
�
table 2-2 Top 25 Sources of Calories Among Americans Ages

2 Years and Older, NHANES 2005–2006..........................................................................12

table 2-3 Estimated Calorie Needs per Day by Age, Gender,

and Physical Activity Level.................................................................................................... 14

table 2-4 Recommended Macronutrient Proportions by Age....................................15
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table 2-5 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines ..................................................................18
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table 5-1 Eating Pattern Comparison: Usual U.S. Intake, Mediterranean,

DASH, and USDA Food Patterns, Average Daily Intake at or Adjusted to a

2,000 Calorie Level..................................................................................................................51

table 5-2 USDA Food Patterns—Food Groups and Subgroups .................................52
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table 5-3 Average Daily Amounts in the Protein Foods Group in the USDA Food

Pattern at the 2,000 Calorie Level and its Vegetarian Adaptations ..........................53
�
list of figures
figure 3-1 Estimated Mean Daily Sodium Intake, by Age–Gender
Group, NHANES 2005–2006 ..............................................................................................22

figure 3-2 Sources of Sodium in the Diets of the U.S. Population

Ages 2 Years and Older, NHANES 2005–2006..............................................................22
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figure 3-3 Fatty Acid Profiles of Common Fats and Oils.............................................25
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figure 3-4 Sources of Saturated Fat in the Diets of the U.S. Population

Ages 2 Years and Older, NHANES 2005–2006..............................................................26
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figure 3-5 Sources of Solid Fats in the Diets of the U.S. Population

Ages 2 Years and Older, NHANES 2003–2004..............................................................28
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figure 3-6 Sources of Added Sugars in the Diets of the U.S.

Population Ages 2 Years and Older, NHANES 2005–2006.........................................29
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figure 3-7 Sources of Refined Grains in the Diets of the U.S.

Population Ages 2 Years and Older, NHANES 2003–2004.........................................30
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figure 4-1 Three Ways to Make at Least Half of Total Grains Whole Grains.........37

figure 5-1 How Do Typical American Diets Compare to Recommended

Intake Levels or Limits?......................................................................................................... 46

figure 5-2 Examples of the Calories in Food Choices that are not in Nutrient-

Dense Forms and the Calories in Nutrient-Dense Forms of these Foods.................47

figure 6-1 A Social-Ecological Framework for Nutrition and

Physical Activity Decisions...................................................................................................56

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

vii

Executive Summary

Eating and physical activity patterns that are focused
on consuming fewer calories, making informed food
choices, and being physically active can help people
attain and maintain a healthy weight, reduce their
risk of chronic disease, and promote overall health.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 exemplifies these strategies through recommendations that
accommodate the food preferences, cultural traditions, and customs of the many and diverse groups
who live in the United States.
By law (Public Law 101-445, Title III, 7 U.S.C. 5301
et seq.), Dietary Guidelines for Americans is reviewed,
updated if necessary, and published every 5 years.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) jointly create each edition. Dietary Guidelines
for Americans, 2010 is based on the Report of the
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and consideration of
Federal agency and public comments.

Dietary Guidelines recommendations traditionally
have been intended for healthy Americans ages
2 years and older. However, Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, 2010 is being released at a time of rising
concern about the health of the American population. Poor diet and physical inactivity are the most
important factors contributing to an epidemic of
overweight and obesity affecting men, women, and
children in all segments of our society. Even in the
absence of overweight, poor diet and physical inactivity are associated with major causes of morbidity
and mortality in the United States. Therefore, the
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 is intended for
Americans ages 2 years and older, including those at
increased risk of chronic disease.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 also recognizes
that in recent years nearly 15 percent of American
households have been unable to acquire adequate
food to meet their needs.1 This dietary guidance
can help them maximize the nutritional content of

1. Nord M, Coleman-Jensen A, Andrews M, Carlson S. Household food security in the United States, 2009. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Economic Research Service. 2010 Nov. Economic Research Report No. ERR-108. Available from http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err108.

viii

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

their meals. Many other Americans consume less
than optimal intake of certain nutrients even though
they have adequate resources for a healthy diet. This
dietary guidance and nutrition information can help
them choose a healthy, nutritionally adequate diet.
The intent of the Dietary Guidelines is to summarize
and synthesize knowledge about individual nutrients and food components into an interrelated set
of recommendations for healthy eating that can be
adopted by the public. Taken together, the Dietary
Guidelines recommendations encompass two overarching concepts:
• Maintain calorie balance over time to achieve and
sustain a healthy weight. People who are most
successful at achieving and maintaining a healthy
weight do so through continued attention to consuming only enough calories from foods and beverages to meet their needs and by being physically
active. To curb the obesity epidemic and improve
their health, many Americans must decrease the
calories they consume and increase the calories
they expend through physical activity.
• focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods and
beverages. Americans currently consume too
much sodium and too many calories from solid fats,
added sugars, and refined grains.2 These replace
nutrient-dense foods and beverages and make
it difficult for people to achieve recommended
nutrient intake while controlling calorie and sodium
intake. A healthy eating pattern limits intake of
sodium, solid fats, added sugars, and refined grains
and emphasizes nutrient-dense foods and beverages—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free
or low-fat milk and milk products,3 seafood, lean
meats and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, and nuts
and seeds.

A basic premise of the Dietary Guidelines is that
nutrient needs should be met primarily through
consuming foods. In certain cases, fortified foods and
dietary supplements may be useful in providing one
or more nutrients that otherwise might be consumed
in less than recommended amounts. Two eating
patterns that embody the Dietary Guidelines are the
USDA Food Patterns and their vegetarian adaptations and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension) Eating Plan.
A healthy eating pattern needs not only to promote
health and help to decrease the risk of chronic
diseases, but it also should prevent foodborne illness.
Four basic food safety principles (Clean, Separate,
Cook, and Chill) work together to reduce the risk of
foodborne illnesses. In addition, some foods (such as
milks, cheeses, and juices that have not been pasteurized, and undercooked animal foods) pose high
risk for foodborne illness and should be avoided.
The information in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
is used in developing educational materials and
aiding policymakers in designing and carrying out
nutrition-related programs, including Federal food,
nutrition education, and information programs. In
addition, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans has the
potential to offer authoritative statements as provided
for in the Food and Drug Administration Modernization
Act (FDAMA).
The following are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,
2010 Key Recommendations, listed by the chapter
in which they are discussed in detail. These Key
Recommendations are the most important in terms
of their implications for improving public health.4 To
get the full benefit, individuals should carry out the
Dietary Guidelines recommendations in their entirety
as part of an overall healthy eating pattern.

2. Added sugars: Caloric sweeteners that are added to foods during processing, preparation, or consumed separately. Solid fats: Fats with a high content of
saturated and/or trans fatty acids, which are usually solid at room temperature. Refined grains: Grains and grain products missing the bran, germ, and/or
endosperm; any grain product that is not a whole grain.
3. Milk and milk products also can be referred to as dairy products.
4. Information on the type and strength of evidence supporting the Dietary Guidelines recommendations can be found at http://www.nutritionevidencelibrary.gov.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

Balancing calories to
Manage weight
• Prevent and/or reduce overweight and obesity

Key
Recommendations

through improved eating and physical activity
behaviors.

• 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.

foods and food
coMPonents to reduce
• Reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) and further

reduce intake to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 and older and those of
any age who are African American or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic
kidney disease. The 1,500 mg recommendation applies to about half of the
U.S. population, including children, and the majority of adults.

• Consume less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids by

replacing them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

• Consume less than 300 mg per day of dietary cholesterol.
• Keep trans fatty acid consumption as low as possible by limiting foods that

contain synthetic sources of trans fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils, and
by limiting other solid fats.

• Reduce the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars.
• Limit the consumption of foods that contain refined grains, especially

refined grain foods that contain solid fats, added sugars, and sodium.

• If alcohol is consumed, it should be consumed in moderation—up to one drink

per day for women and two drinks per day for men—and only by adults of legal
drinking age.5

5. See Chapter 3, Foods and Food Components to Reduce, for additional recommendations on alcohol consumption and specific population groups. There
are many circumstances when people should not drink alcohol.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

foods and nutrients to increase
Individuals should meet the following
recommendations as part of a healthy eating
pattern while staying within their calorie needs.
• Increase vegetable and fruit intake.
• Eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green

and red and orange vegetables and beans and peas.

• Consume at least half of all grains as whole

grains. Increase whole-grain intake by replacing
refined grains with whole grains.

• Increase intake of fat-free or low-fat milk and

milk products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, or
fortified soy beverages.6

• Choose a variety of protein foods, which include

seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans and
peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.

• Increase the amount and variety of seafood

consumed by choosing seafood in place of some
meat and poultry.

• Replace protein foods that are higher in solid

fats with choices that are lower in solid fats and
calories and/or are sources of oils.

• Use oils to replace solid fats where possible.
• Choose foods that provide more potassium,

dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamin D, which are
nutrients of concern in American diets. These
foods include vegetables, fruits, whole grains,
and milk and milk products.

Recommendations for specific population groups
Women capable of becoming pregnant7
• Choose foods that supply heme iron, which is

more readily absorbed by the body, additional iron
sources, and enhancers of iron absorption such as
vitamin C-rich foods.

• Consume 400 micrograms (mcg) per day of

synthetic folic acid (from fortified foods and/or
supplements) in addition to food forms of folate
from a varied diet.8

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding7
• Consume 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week

from a variety of seafood types.

• Due to their high methyl mercury content, limit

white (albacore) tuna to 6 ounces per week and
do not eat the following four types of fish: tilefish,
shark, swordfish, and king mackerel.

• If pregnant, take an iron supplement, as

recommended by an obstetrician or other health
care provider.

Individuals ages 50 years and older
• Consume foods fortified with vitamin B12, such

as fortified cereals, or dietary supplements.

Building healthy eating Patterns
• Select an eating pattern that meets nutrient needs over time at an appropriate

calorie level.

• Account for all foods and beverages consumed and assess how they fit within a

total healthy eating pattern.

• Follow food safety recommendations when preparing and eating foods to reduce

the risk of foodborne illnesses.

6. Fortified soy beverages have been marketed as “soymilk,” a product name consumers could see in supermarkets and consumer materials. However,
FDA’s regulations do not contain provisions for the use of the term soymilk. Therefore, in this document, the term “fortified soy beverage” includes products
that may be marketed as soymilk.
7. Includes adolescent girls.
8. “Folic acid” is the synthetic form of the nutrient; whereas, “folate” is the form found naturally in foods.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

Chapter 1

Introduction

In 1980, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
and the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) released the first edition of Nutrition
and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These
Dietary Guidelines were different from previous dietary
guidance in that they reflected emerging scientific
evidence about diet and health and expanded the
traditional focus on nutrient adequacy to also address
the impact of diet on chronic disease.
Subsequent editions of the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans have been remarkably consistent in
their recommendations about the components of a
health-promoting diet, but they also have changed
in some significant ways to reflect an evolving body
of evidence about nutrition, the food and physical
activity environment, and health. The ultimate goal
of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is to improve
the health of our Nation’s current and future generations by facilitating and promoting healthy eating
and physical activity choices so that these behaviors
become the norm among all individuals.

The recommendations contained in the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans traditionally have been
intended for healthy Americans ages 2 years and
older. However, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010
is being released at a time of rising concern about
the health of the American population. Its recommendations accommodate the reality that a large
percentage of Americans are overweight or obese
and/or at risk of various chronic diseases. Therefore,
the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 is intended
for Americans ages 2 years and older, including
those who are at increased risk of chronic disease.
Poor diet and physical inactivity are the most important factors contributing to an epidemic of overweight
and obesity in this country. The most recent data
indicate that 72 percent of men and 64 percent of
women are overweight or obese, with about one-third
of adults being obese.9 Even in the absence of overweight, poor diet and physical inactivity are associated with major causes of morbidity and mortality.
These include cardiovascular disease, hypertension,

9. Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, Curtin LR. Prevalence and trends in obesity among U.S. adults, 1999-2008. JAMA. 2010;303(3):235-241.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter One

type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some types of
cancer. Some racial and ethnic population groups
are disproportionately affected by the high rates of
overweight, obesity, and associated chronic diseases.
These diet and health associations make a focus
on improved nutrition and physical activity choices
ever more urgent. These associations also provide
important opportunities to reduce health disparities
through dietary and physical activity changes.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans also recognizes that
in recent years nearly 15 percent of American households have been unable to acquire adequate food
to meet their needs because of insufficient money
or other resources for food.10 This dietary guidance
can help them maximize the nutritional content of
their meals within their resource constraints. Many
other Americans consume less than optimal intake
of certain nutrients, even though they have adequate
resources for a healthy diet. This dietary guidance
and nutrition information can help them choose a
healthy, nutritionally adequate diet.
Children are a particularly important focus of the
Dietary Guidelines for Americans because of the
growing body of evidence documenting the vital role
that optimal nutrition plays throughout the lifespan.
Today, too many children are consuming diets with
too many calories and not enough nutrients and are
not getting enough physical activity. Approximately
32 percent of children and adolescents ages 2 to
19 years are overweight or obese, with 17 percent
of children being obese.11 In addition, risk factors
for adult chronic diseases are increasingly found in
younger ages. Eating patterns established in childhood often track into later life, making early intervention on adopting healthy nutrition and physical
activity behaviors a priority.

develoPing the Dietary
GuiDelines for americans, 2010
Because of their focus on health promotion and
disease risk reduction, the Dietary Guidelines form
the basis for nutrition policy in Federal food, education, and information programs. By law (Public Law
101-445, Title III, 7 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans is reviewed, updated if
necessary, and published every 5 years. The process

to create each edition of the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans is a joint effort of the USDA and HHS and
has evolved to include three stages.
In the first stage, an external scientific Dietary
Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) is
appointed to conduct an analysis of new scientific
information on diet and health and to prepare a
report summarizing its findings. The Committee’s
analysis is the primary resource for the two
Departments in developing the Dietary Guidelines
for Americans. The 2010 DGAC used a systematic
evidence-based review methodology involving a
web-based electronic system to facilitate its review
of the scientific literature and address approximately
130 scientific questions. The methodological rigor
of each study included in the analysis was assessed,
and the body of evidence supporting each question
was summarized, synthesized, and graded by the
Committee (this work is publicly available at http://
www.nutritionevidencelibrary.gov). The DGAC used
data analyses, food pattern modeling analyses,12 and
reviews of other evidence-based reports to address
an additional 50 questions.
The DGAC report presents a thorough review of key
nutrition, physical activity, and health issues, including those related to energy balance and weight management; nutrient adequacy; fatty acids and cholesterol; protein; carbohydrates; sodium, potassium,
and water; alcohol; and food safety and technology.
Following its completion in June 2010, the DGAC
report was made available to the public and Federal
agencies for comment. For more information about
the process and the Committee’s review, see the
Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on
the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 at http://
www.dietaryguidelines.gov.
During the second stage, the Departments develop
the policy document, Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The audiences for this document include policymakers, nutrition educators, nutritionists, and health
care providers. Similar to previous editions, the 2010
edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans is based on
the Advisory Committee’s report and a consideration
of public and Federal agency comments. The Dietary
Guidelines science-based recommendations are used
for program and policy development. In the third and
final stage, the two Departments develop messages

10. Nord M, Coleman-Jensen A, Andrews M, Carlson S. Household food security in the United States, 2009. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Economic Research Service. 2010 Nov. Economic Research Report No. ERR-108. Available from http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err108.
11. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, Lamb MM, Flegal KM. Prevalence of high body mass index in U.S. children and adolescents, 2007-2008. JAMA.
2010;303(3):242-249.
12. Food pattern modeling analyses are conducted to determine the hypothetical impact on nutrients in and adequacy of food patterns when specific
modifications to the patterns are made.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter One

the heavy toll of diet-related chronic diseases
cardiovascular disease
• 81.1 million Americans—37 percent of the
population—have cardiovascular disease.13
Major risk factors include high levels of blood
cholesterol and other lipids, type 2 diabetes,
hypertension (high blood pressure), metabolic
syndrome, overweight and obesity, physical
inactivity, and tobacco use.
• 16 percent of the U.S. adult population has high
total blood cholesterol.14
hypertension
• 74.5 million Americans—34 percent of U.S.
adults—have hypertension.15
• Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart
disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and
kidney disease.
• Dietary factors that increase blood pressure
include excessive sodium and insufficient
potassium intake, overweight and obesity, and
excess alcohol consumption.
• 36 percent of American adults have
prehypertension—blood pressure numbers
that are higher than normal, but not yet in the
hypertension range.16

diabetes
• Nearly 24 million people—almost 11 percent of
the population—ages 20 years and older have
diabetes.17 The vast majority of cases are type
2 diabetes, which is heavily influenced by diet
and physical activity.
• About 78 million Americans—35 percent of
the U.S. adult population ages 20 years or
older—have pre-diabetes.18 Pre-diabetes (also
called impaired glucose tolerance or impaired
fasting glucose) means that blood glucose
levels are higher than normal, but not high
enough to be called diabetes.
cancer
• Almost one in two men and women—approximately 41 percent of the population—will be
diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.19
• Dietary factors are associated with risk of
some types of cancer, including breast (postmenopausal), endometrial, colon, kidney,
mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.
osteoporosis
• One out of every two women and one in four
men ages 50 years and older will have an
osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.20
• About 85 to 90 percent of adult bone mass is
acquired by the age of 18 in girls and the age
of 20 in boys.21 Adequate nutrition and regular
participation in physical activity are important
factors in achieving and maintaining optimal
bone mass.

13. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, 2010 Update At-A-Glance. http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/
heart/1265665152970DS-3241%20HeartStrokeUpdate_2010.pdf.
14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cholesterol Facts. http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/facts.htm.
15. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, 2010 Update. Table 6-1. http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/
CIRCULATIONAHA.109.192667.
16. Egan BM, Zhao Y, Axon RN. U.S. trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, 1988–2008. JAMA. 2010;303(20):2043-2050.
17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2007.pdf.
18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2007.pdf. Estimates
projected to U.S. population in 2009.
19. National Cancer Institute. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Stat Fact Sheets: All Sites. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/all.html.
20. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource
Center. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/default.asp#h.
21. National Osteoporosis Foundation. Fast Facts. http://www.nof.org/node.40.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter One

and materials communicating the Dietary Guidelines
to the general public.

a roadMaP to the Dietary
GuiDelines for americans, 2010
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 consists of six
chapters. This first chapter introduces the document and provides information on background and
purpose. The next five chapters correspond to major
themes that emerged from the 2010 DGAC’s review
of the evidence, and Chapters 2 through 5 provide
recommendations with supporting evidence and
explanations. These recommendations are based
on a preponderance of the scientific evidence for
nutritional factors that are important for promoting health and lowering risk of diet-related chronic
disease. Quantitative recommendations always refer
to individual intake or amount rather than population
average intake, unless otherwise noted.
Although divided into chapters that focus on particular aspects of eating patterns, Dietary Guidelines for
Americans provides integrated recommendations for
health. To get the full benefit, individuals should carry
out these recommendations in their entirety as part
of an overall healthy eating pattern:
• chapter 2: Balancing calories to Manage
weight explains the concept of calorie balance,
describes some of the environmental factors
that have contributed to the current epidemic of
overweight and obesity, and discusses diet and
physical activity principles that can be used to
help Americans achieve calorie balance.
• chapter 3: foods and food components to
reduce focuses on several dietary components
that Americans generally consume in excess
compared to recommendations. These include
sodium, solid fats (major sources of saturated fats
and trans fats), cholesterol, added sugars, refined
grains, and for some Americans, alcohol. The
chapter explains that reducing foods and beverages that contain relatively high amounts of these
dietary components and replacing them with foods
and beverages that provide substantial amounts of
nutrients and relatively few calories would improve
the health of Americans.

• chapter 4: foods and nutrients to increase
focuses on the nutritious foods that are recommended for nutrient adequacy, disease prevention,
and overall good health. These include vegetables;
fruits; whole grains; fat-free or low-fat milk and
milk products;22 protein foods, including seafood,
lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, soy
products, and unsalted nuts and seeds; and oils.
Additionally, nutrients of public health concern,
including potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, and
vitamin D, are discussed.
• chapter 5: Building healthy eating Patterns shows
how the recommendations and principles described
in earlier chapters can be combined into a healthy
overall eating pattern. The USDA Food Patterns and
DASH Eating Plan are healthy eating patterns that
provide flexible templates allowing all Americans to
stay within their calorie limits, meet their nutrient
needs, and reduce chronic disease risk.
• chapter 6: helping americans Make healthy
choices discusses two critically important facts.
The first is that the current food and physical
activity environment is influential in the nutrition
and activity choices that people make—for better
and for worse. The second is that all elements of
society, including individuals and families, communities, business and industry, and various levels
of government, have a positive and productive role
to play in the movement to make America healthy.
The chapter suggests a number of ways that these
players can work together to improve the Nation’s
nutrition and physical activity.
In addition to these chapters, Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, 2010 provides resources that can be used
in developing policies, programs, and educational
materials. These include Guidance for Specific
Population Groups (Appendix 1), Key Consumer
Behaviors and Potential Strategies for Professionals
to Use in Implementing the 2010 Dietary Guidelines
(Appendix 2), Food Safety Principles and Guidance
for Consumers (Appendix 3), and Using the Food
Label to Track Calories, Nutrients, and Ingredients
(Appendix 4). These resources complement existing
Federal websites that provide nutrition information
and guidance, such as www.healthfinder.gov,
www.nutrition.gov, www.mypyramid.gov, and
www.dietaryguidelines.gov.

22. Milk and milk products also can be referred to as dairy products.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter One

key terMs to know

Several terms are used throughout Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and are essential
to understanding the principles and recommendations discussed:
calorie balance. The balance between calories
consumed in foods and beverages and calories
expended through physical activity and metabolic processes.
eating pattern. The combination of foods
and beverages that constitute an individual’s
complete dietary intake over time.
nutrient dense. Nutrient-dense foods and
beverages provide vitamins, minerals, and
other substances that may have positive health
effects with relatively few calories. The term
“nutrient dense” indicates that the nutrients
and other beneficial substances in a food have
not been “diluted” by the addition of calories
from added solid fats, added sugars, or added
refined starches, or by the solid fats naturally
present in the food. Nutrient-dense foods and
beverages are lean or low in solid fats, and
minimize or exclude added solid fats, sugars,
starches, and sodium. Ideally, they also are
in forms that retain naturally occurring components, such as dietary fiber. All vegetables,
fruits, whole grains, seafood, eggs, beans and
peas, unsalted nuts and seeds, fat-free and
low-fat milk and milk products, and lean meats
and poultry—when prepared without adding
solid fats or sugars—are nutrient-dense foods.
For most Americans, meeting nutrient needs
within their calorie needs is an important goal
for health. Eating recommended amounts from
each food group in nutrient-dense forms is the
best approach to achieving this goal and building a healthy eating pattern.

Finally, the document has additional appendices
containing nutritional goals for age-gender groups
based on the Dietary Reference Intakes and the
Dietary Guidelines recommendations (Appendix 5),
estimated calorie needs per day by age, gender, and
physical activity level (Appendix 6), the USDA Food
Patterns and DASH Eating Plan (Appendices 7–10),
tables that support individual chapters (Appendices
11–15), and a glossary of terms (Appendix 16).
sources of information
For more information about the articles and reports
used to inform the development of the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, readers are directed to the
Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and the
related Nutrition Evidence Library website (http://
www.nutritionevidencelibrary.gov). Unless otherwise noted, usual nutrient, food group, and selected
dietary component intakes by Americans are drawn
from analyses conducted by the National Cancer
Institute (NCI),23 a component of HHS’s National
Institutes of Health, and by USDA’s Agricultural
Research Service (ARS),24 using standard methodologies and data from the National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Additional
references are provided throughout this document,
where appropriate.

iMPortance of the dietary
guidelines for health ProMotion
and disease Prevention
A growing body of scientific evidence demonstrates
that the dietary and physical activity recommendations described in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
may help people attain and maintain a healthy
weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and
promote overall health. These recommendations
accommodate the varied food preferences, cultural
traditions, and customs of the many and diverse
groups who live in the United States.
A basic premise of the Dietary Guidelines is that
nutrient needs should be met primarily through
consuming foods. Foods provide an array of nutrients and other components that are thought to
have beneficial effects on health. Americans should
aim to consume a diet that achieves the Institute

23. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Usual dietary intakes: food intakes, U.S. population, 2001–2004. Risk Factor Monitoring and Methods. http://riskfactor.
cancer.gov/diet/usualintakes/pop/#results. Updated January 15, 2009. Accessed April 10, 2010.
24. Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Nutrient intakes from food: mean amounts consumed per individual, one day, 2005–2006. Food Surveys Research
Group, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture. www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/fsrg. 2008. Accessed April 10, 2010.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter One

of Medicine’s most recent Dietary Reference
Intakes (DRIs), which consider the individual’s life
stage, gender, and activity level. In some cases,
fortified foods and dietary supplements may be
useful in providing one or more nutrients that
otherwise may be consumed in less than recommended amounts. Another important premise
of the Dietary Guidelines is that foods should be
prepared and handled in a way that reduces risk
of foodborne illness. All of these issues are discussed in detail in the remainder of this document
and its appendices.

uses of the Dietary GuiDelines
for americans, 2010
As with previous editions, Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, 2010 forms the basis for nutrition
policy in Federal food, nutrition, education, and
information programs. This policy document has
several specific uses.
development of educational materials and
communications
The information in this edition of Dietary Guidelines
for Americans is used in developing nutrition education and communication messages and materials.
For example, Federal dietary guidance publications
are required by law to be consistent with the
Dietary Guidelines.
When appropriate, specific statements in Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, 2010 indicate the strength
of the evidence (e.g., strong, moderate, or limited)
related to the topic as summarized by the 2010
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The
strength of evidence is provided so that users are
informed about how much evidence is available
and how consistent the evidence is for a particular
statement or recommendation. This information is
useful for educators when developing programs and
tools. Statements supported by strong or moderate
evidence can and should be emphasized in educational materials over those with limited evidence.
When considering the evidence that supports a
recommendation, it is important to recognize the
difference between association and causation. Two
factors may be associated; however, this association does not mean that one factor necessarily

descriBing the strength of
the evidence
Throughout this document, the Dietary Guidelines note the strength of evidence supporting
its recommendations:
strong evidence reflects consistent, convincing findings derived from studies with robust
methodology relevant to the population
of interest.
Moderate evidence reflects somewhat less
evidence or less consistent evidence. The body
of evidence may include studies of weaker
design and/or some inconsistency in results.
The studies may be susceptible to some bias,
but not enough to invalidate the results, or the
body of evidence may not be as generalizable to
the population of interest.
limited evidence reflects either a small number
of studies, studies of weak design, and/or
inconsistent results.
For more information about evaluating the
strength of evidence, go to http://www.
nutritionevidencelibrary.gov.

causes the other. Often, several different factors
may contribute to an outcome. In some cases,
scientific conclusions are based on relationships
or associations because studies examining cause
and effect are not available. When developing
education materials, the relationship of associated
factors should be carefully worded so that causation is not suggested.
development of nutrition-related programs
The Dietary Guidelines aid policymakers in designing and implementing nutrition-related programs.
For example, the Federal Government uses the
Dietary Guidelines in developing nutrition assistance programs such as the National Child Nutrition
Programs and the Elderly Nutrition Program. The
Dietary Guidelines also provide the foundation for
the Healthy People national health promotion and
disease prevention objectives related to nutrition,

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter One

which set measurable targets for achievement over
a decade.
development of authoritative statements
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 has the
potential to offer authoritative statements as a basis
for health and nutrient content claims, as provided for
in the Food and Drug Administration Modernization
Act (FDAMA). Potential authoritative statements

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter One

should be phrased in a manner that enables consumers to understand the claim in the context of the total
daily diet. FDAMA upholds the “significant scientific
agreement” standard for authorized health claims. By
law, this standard is based on the totality of publicly
available scientific evidence. Therefore, for FDAMA
purposes, statements based on, for example, evidence
that is moderate, limited, inconsistent, emerging, or
growing, are not authoritative statements.

Chapter 2

Balancing Calories
to Manage Weight

Achieving and sustaining appropriate body weight
across the lifespan is vital to maintaining good health
and quality of life. Many behavioral, environmental,
and genetic factors have been shown to affect a person’s body weight. Calorie balance over time is the key
to weight management. Calorie balance refers to the
relationship between calories consumed from foods
and beverages and calories expended in normal body
functions (i.e., metabolic processes) and through
physical activity. People cannot control the calories
expended in metabolic processes, but they can
control what they eat and drink, as well as how many
calories they use in physical activity.
Calories consumed must equal calories expended
for a person to maintain the same body weight.
Consuming more calories than expended will result
in weight gain. Conversely, consuming fewer calories
than expended will result in weight loss. This can be
achieved over time by eating fewer calories, being
more physically active, or, best of all, a combination
of the two.

Maintaining a healthy body weight and preventing
excess weight gain throughout the lifespan are highly
preferable to losing weight after weight gain. Once a
person becomes obese, reducing body weight back
to a healthy range requires significant effort over
a span of time, even years. People who are most
successful at losing weight and keeping it off do so
through continued attention to calorie balance.
The current high rates of overweight and obesity
among virtually all subgroups of the population in
the United States demonstrate that many Americans
are in calorie imbalance—that is, they consume more
calories than they expend. To curb the obesity epidemic and improve their health, Americans need to
make significant efforts
to decrease the total
for More inforMation
number of calories they
See chapter 5 for discusconsume from foods
sion of healthy eating
and beverages and
patterns that meet nutrient
needs within calorie limits.
increase calorie expenditure through physical

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

activity. Achieving these goals will require Americans
to select a healthy eating pattern that includes
nutrient-dense foods and beverages they enjoy, meets
nutrient requirements, and stays within calorie needs.
In addition, Americans can choose from a variety of
strategies to increase physical activity.

Key Recommendations

Prevent and/or reduce overweight and
obesity through improved eating and
physical activity behaviors.
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.

an ePideMic of overweight
and oBesity
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the
United States is dramatically higher now than it was
a few decades ago. This is true for all age groups,
including children, adolescents, and adults. One
of the largest changes has been an increase in the
number of Americans in the obese category. As
shown in Table 2-1, the prevalence of obesity has
doubled and in some cases tripled between the
1970s and 2008.
The high prevalence of overweight and obesity
across the population is of concern because
individuals who are overweight or obese have an
increased risk of many health problems. Type 2 diabetes,
heart disease, and certain types of cancer are among the
conditions most often associated with obesity. Ultimately,
obesity can increase the risk of premature death.
These increased health risks are not limited to adults.
Weight-associated diseases and conditions that were
once diagnosed primarily in adults are now observed
in children and adolescents with excess body fat. For
example, cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as
high blood cholesterol and hypertension, and type 2

overweight and oBese: what do they Mean?
Body weight status can be categorized as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. Body mass
index (BMI) is a useful tool that can be used to estimate an individual’s body weight status. BMI is a
measure of weight in kilograms (kg) relative to height in meters (m) squared. The terms overweight and
obese describe ranges of weight that are greater than what is considered healthy for a given height, while
underweight describes a weight that is lower than what is considered healthy for a given height. These
categories are a guide, and some people at a healthy weight also may have weight-responsive health conditions. Because children and adolescents are growing, their BMI is plotted on growth charts25 for sex and age.
The percentile indicates the relative position of the child’s BMI among children of the same sex and age.
category

children and adolescents (BMi for age Percentile range)

adults (BMi)

Less than the 5th percentile

Less than 18.5 kg/m2

5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile

18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2

85th percentile to less than the 95th percentile

25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2

Equal to or greater than the 95th percentile

30.0 kg/m2 or greater

underweight
Healthy weight
overweight
obese

Adult BMI can be calculated at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/. A child and adolescent BMI
calculator is available at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/.
25. Growth charts are available at http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

taBle 2-1. obesity in america ...then and now
obesity then

obesity now

In the early 1970s, the prevalence of obesity was 5% for
children ages 2 to 5 years, 4% for children ages 6 to 11
years, and 6% for adolescents ages 12 to 19 years.

In 2007–2008, the prevalence of obesity reached 10%
for children ages 2 to 5 years, 20% for children ages 6 to
11 years, and 18% for adolescents ages 12 to 19 years.

In the late 1970s, 15% of adults were obese.

In 2008, 34% of adults were obese.

In the early 1990s, zero States had an adult obesity
prevalence rate of more than 25%.

In 2008, 32 States had an adult obesity prevalence rate of
more than 25%.

Sources:
Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, Curtin LR. Prevalence and trends in obesity among U.S. adults, 1999–2008. JAMA. 2010;303(3):235-241.
Ogden CL, Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Johnson CL. Prevalence and trends in overweight among U.S. children and adolescents, 1999–2000. JAMA.
2002;288(4):1728-1732.
Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, Lamb MM, Flegal KM. Prevalence of high body mass index in U.S. children and adolescents, 2007–2008. JAMA.
2010;303(3):242-249.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Obesity Trends. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html. Accessed August 12, 2010.
[Note: State prevalence data based on self-report.]

diabetes are now increasing in children and adolescents. The adverse effects also tend to persist
through the lifespan, as children and adolescents
who are overweight and obese are at substantially
increased risk of being overweight and obese as
adults and developing weight-related chronic
diseases later in life. Primary prevention of obesity,
especially in childhood, is an important strategy for
combating and reversing the obesity epidemic.
All Americans—children, adolescents, adults, and
older adults—are encouraged to strive to achieve
and maintain a healthy body weight. Adults who
are obese should make changes in their eating and
physical activity behaviors to prevent additional
weight gain and promote weight loss. Adults who are
overweight should not gain additional weight, and
most, particularly those with cardiovascular disease
risk factors, should make changes to their eating and
physical activity behaviors to lose weight. Children
and adolescents are encouraged to maintain calorie
balance to support normal growth and development
without promoting excess weight gain. Children and
adolescents who are overweight or obese should
change their eating and physical activity behaviors so
that their BMI-for-age percentile does not increase
over time. Further, a health care provider should be
consulted to determine appropriate weight management for the child or adolescent. Families, schools,
and communities play important roles in supporting
changes in eating and physical activity behaviors for
children and adolescents.

Maintaining a healthy weight also is important
for certain subgroups of the population, including
women who are capable of becoming pregnant,
pregnant women, and older adults.
• Women are encouraged to achieve and maintain
a healthy weight before becoming pregnant. This
may reduce a woman’s risk of complications during
pregnancy, increase the chances of a healthy infant
birth weight, and improve the long-term health of
both mother and infant.
• Pregnant women are encouraged to gain weight
within the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM)
gestational weight gain guidelines.26 Maternal
weight gain during pregnancy outside the recommended range is associated with increased risks for
maternal and child health.
• Adults ages 65 years and older who are overweight
are encouraged to not gain additional weight.
Among older adults who are obese, particularly
those with cardiovascular disease risk factors,
intentional weight loss can be beneficial and result
in improved quality of life and reduced risk of
chronic diseases and associated disabilities.

contriButing to the ePideMic:
an oBesogenic environMent
The overall environment in which many Americans
now live, work, learn, and play has contributed
to the obesity epidemic. Ultimately, individuals

26. Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council (NRC). Weight gain during pregnancy: reexamining the guidelines. Washington (DC):
The National Academies Press; 2009.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

choose the type and amount of food they eat and
how physically active they are. However, choices
are often limited by what is available in a person’s
environment, including stores, restaurants, schools,
and worksites. Environment affects both sides of
the calorie balance equation—it can promote overconsumption of calories and discourage physical
activity and calorie expenditure.
The food supply has changed dramatically over the
past 40 years. Foods available for consumption
increased in all major food categories from 1970 to
2008. Average daily calories available per person in
the marketplace increased approximately 600 calories,27 with the greatest increases in the availability of
added fats and oils, grains, milk and milk products,28
and caloric sweeteners. Many portion sizes offered
for sale also have increased. Research has shown
that when larger portion sizes are served, people
tend to consume more calories. In addition, strong
evidence shows that portion size is associated with
body weight, such that being served and consuming
smaller portions is associated with weight loss.
Studies examining the relationship between the food
environment and BMI have found that communities
with a larger number of fast food or quick-service
restaurants tend to have higher BMIs. Since the
1970s, the number of fast food restaurants has
more than doubled. Further, the proportion of daily
calorie intake from foods eaten away from home
has increased,29 and evidence shows that children,
adolescents, and adults who eat out, particularly at
fast food restaurants, are at increased risk of weight
gain, overweight, and obesity. The strongest association between fast food consumption and obesity is
when one or more fast food meals are consumed per
week. As a result of the changing food environment,
individuals need to deliberately make food choices,
both at home and away from home, that are nutrient
dense, low in calories, and appropriate in portion size.
On the other side of the calorie balance equation,
many Americans spend most of their waking hours
engaged in sedentary behaviors, making it difficult for
them to expend enough calories to maintain calorie
balance. Many home, school, work, and community
environments do not facilitate a physically active

lifestyle. For example, the lack of sidewalks or parks
and concerns for safety when outdoors can reduce
the ability of individuals to be physically active.
Also, over the past several decades, transportation and technological advances have meant that
people now expend fewer calories to perform tasks
of everyday life. Consequently, many people today
need to make a special effort to be physically active
during leisure time to meet physical activity needs.
Unfortunately, levels of leisure-time physical activity
are low. Approximately one-third of American adults
report that they participate in leisure-time physical
activity on a regular basis, one-third participate in
some leisure-time physical activity, and one-third are
considered inactive.30 Participation in physical activity also declines with age. For example, in national
surveys using physical activity monitors, 42 percent of
children ages 6 to 11 years participate in 60 minutes
of physical activity each day, whereas only 8 percent
of adolescents achieve
this goal.31 Less than 5
for More inforMation
percent of adults parSee chapter 6 for a discussion of changes to the food
ticipate in 30 minutes
and physical activity enviof physical activity each
ronment involving families,
day, with slightly more
peers, and the community
meeting the recomthat can help Americans
mended weekly goal of
achieve calorie balance.
at least 150 minutes.

current dietary intake
The current dietary intake of Americans has
contributed to the obesity epidemic. Many children
and adults have a usual calorie intake that exceeds
their daily needs, and they are not physically active
enough to compensate for these intakes. The combination sets them on a track to gain weight. On the
basis of national survey data, the average calorie
intake among women and men older than age 19
years are estimated to be 1,785 and 2,640 calories
per day, respectively. While these estimates do not
appear to be excessive, the numbers are difficult to
interpret because survey respondents, especially
individuals who are overweight or obese, often
underreport dietary intake. Well-controlled studies
suggest that the actual number of calories consumed
may be higher than these estimates.

27. Adjusted for spoilage and other waste. ERS Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System. http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FoodConsumption/. Accessed
August 12, 2010.
28. Milk and milk products also can be referred to as dairy products.
29. Stewart H, Blisard N, Jolliffe D. Let’s eat out: Americans weigh taste, convenience, and nutrition. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research
Service; 2006. Economic Information Bulletin No. 19. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib19/eib19.pdf.
30. Pleis JR, Lucas JW, Ward BW. Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2008. Vital Health Stat. 2009;10(242):1-157.
31. Troiano RP, Berrigan D, Dodd KW, Mâsse LC, Tilert T, McDowell M. Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer. Med Sci Sports
Exerc. 2008;40(1):181–188.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

taBle 2-2. top 25 sources of calories among americans ages 2 years and older,
nhanes 2005–2006a
rank overall, ages 2+ yrs
children and adolescents, ages 2–18 yrs adults and older adults, ages 19+ yrs
(Mean kcal/d; total daily calories = 2,157) (Mean kcal/d; total daily calories = 2,027) (Mean kcal/d; total daily calories = 2,199)
1

Grain-based dessertsb (138 kcal)

Grain-based desserts (138 kcal)

Yeast breadsc (129 kcal)

Pizza (136 kcal)

Yeast breads (134 kcal)
Chicken and chicken mixed dishes
(123 kcal)

Grain-based desserts (138 kcal)

Chicken and chicken mixed dishes
(121 kcal)

Soda/energy/sports drinks (118 kcal)

Soda/energy/sports drinkse (114 kcal)

Yeast breads (114 kcal)

Soda/energy/sports drinks (112 kcal)

Pizza (98 kcal)

Chicken and chicken mixed dishes
(113 kcal)

Alcoholic beverages (106 kcal)

Alcoholic beverages (82 kcal)

Pasta and pasta dishes (91 kcal)

Pizza (86 kcal)

Pasta and pasta dishesf (81 kcal)

Reduced fat milk (86 kcal)

Tortillas, burritos, tacos (85 kcal)

Tortillas, burritos, tacos (80 kcal)

Dairy desserts (76 kcal)

Pasta and pasta dishes (78 kcal)

Beef and beef mixed dishesh (64 kcal)

Potato/corn/other chips (70 kcal)

Beef and beef mixed dishes (71 kcal)

Dairy dessertsi (62 kcal)

Ready-to-eat cereals (65 kcal)

Dairy desserts (58 kcal)

Potato/corn/other chips (56 kcal)

Tortillas, burritos, tacos (63 kcal)

Burgers (53 kcal)

Whole milk (60 kcal)

Regular cheese (51 kcal)

Reduced fat milk (51 kcal)

Candy (56 kcal)

Potato/corn/other chips (51 kcal)

Regular cheese (49 kcal)

Fruit drinks (55 kcal)

Sausage, franks, bacon, and ribs
(49 kcal)

Ready-to-eat cereals (49 kcal)

Burgers (55 kcal)

Nuts/seeds and nut/seed mixed dishes
(47 kcal)

Sausage, franks, bacon, and ribs
(49 kcal)

Fried white potatoes (52 kcal)

Fried white potatoes (46 kcal)

Fried white potatoes (48 kcal)

Sausage, franks, bacon, and ribs
(47 kcal)

Ready-to-eat cereals (44 kcal)

Candy (47 kcal)

Regular cheese (43 kcal)

Candy (44 kcal)

Nuts/seeds and nut/seed mixed
dishesj (42 kcal)

Beef and beef mixed dishes (43 kcal)

Eggs and egg mixed dishes (42 kcal)

Eggs and egg mixed dishesk (39 kcal)

100% fruit juice, not orange/grapefruit
(35 kcal)

Rice and rice mixed dishes (41 kcal)

Rice and rice mixed dishesl (36 kcal)

Eggs and egg mixed dishes (30 kcal)

Reduced fat milk (39 kcal)

Fruit drinks (36 kcal)

Pancakes, waffles, and French toast
(29 kcal)

Quickbreads (36 kcal)

Whole milk (33 kcal)

Crackers (28 kcal)

Other fish and fish mixed disheso
(30 kcal)

Quickbreadsn (32 kcal)

Nuts/seeds and nut/seed mixed dishes
(27 kcal)

Fruit drinks (29 kcal)

Cold cuts (27 kcal)

Cold cuts (24 kcal)

Salad dressing (29 kcal)

a. Data are drawn from analyses of usual dietary intakes conducted by the
National Cancer Institute. Foods and beverages consumed were divided
into 97 categories and ranked according to calorie contribution to the diet.
Table shows each food category and its mean calorie contribution for each
age group. Additional information on calorie contribution by age, gender,
and race/ethnicity is available at
http://riskfactor.cancer.gov/diet/foodsources/.
b. Includes cake, cookies, pie, cobbler, sweet rolls, pastries, and donuts.
c. Includes white bread or rolls, mixed-grain bread, flavored bread, wholewheat bread, and bagels.
d. Includes fried or baked chicken parts and chicken strips/patties, chicken
stir-fries, chicken casseroles, chicken sandwiches, chicken salads, stewed
chicken, and other chicken mixed dishes.
e. Sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened bottled water
including vitamin water.
f. Includes macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, other pasta with or without
sauces, filled pasta (e.g., lasagna and ravioli), and noodles.

g. Also includes nachos, quesadillas, and other Mexican mixed dishes.
h. Includes steak, meatloaf, beef with noodles, and beef stew.
i. Includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, milk shakes, and pudding.
j. Includes peanut butter, peanuts, and mixed nuts.
k. Includes scrambled eggs, omelets, fried eggs, egg breakfast sandwiches/
biscuits, boiled and poached eggs, egg salad, deviled eggs, quiche, and egg
substitutes.
l. Includes white rice, Spanish rice, and fried rice.
m. Includes fruit-flavored drinks, fruit juice drinks, and fruit punch.
n. Includes muffins, biscuits, and cornbread.
o. Fish other than tuna or shrimp.
Source: National Cancer Institute. Food sources of energy among U.S.
population, 2005-2006. Risk Factor Monitoring and Methods. Control
and Population Sciences. National Cancer Institute; 2010. http://riskfactor.
cancer.gov/diet/foodsources/. Updated May 21, 2010. Accessed May 21,
2010.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

Table 2-2 provides the top sources of calories among
Americans ages 2 years and older.32 The table reveals
some expected differences in intake between younger
(ages 2 to 18 years) and adult (ages 19 years and
older) Americans. For example, alcoholic beverages
are a major calorie source for adults, while fluid milk
provides a greater contribution to calorie intake for
children and adolescents. Further, while not shown
in the table,33 there is additional variability in calorie
sources among children, adolescents, and adults of
different ages. For example, sugar-sweetened beverages34 and pizza are greater calorie contributors for
those ages 9 to 18 years than for younger children.
Also, dairy desserts35 and ready-to-eat cereals provide
a greater contribution to calorie intake for those ages
71 years and older than they do among younger adults.
Although some of the top calorie sources by category
are important sources of essential nutrients, others
provide calories with few essential nutrients. Many
of the foods and beverages most often consumed
within these top categories are in forms high in solid
fats and/or added sugars, thereby contributing excess
calories to the diet. For
example, many grainfor More inforMation
based desserts36 are
See chapters 3, 4, and 5
high in added sugars and
for detailed discussions of
solid fats and added sugsolid fats, while many
ars, additional information
chicken dishes37 are
about the current dietary
both breaded and fried,
intake of Americans, and
which adds a substantial
recommendations for
number of calories to
improvement.
the chicken.

calorie Balance: food and
Beverage intake
Controlling calorie intake from foods and beverages
is fundamental to achieving and attaining calorie
balance. Understanding calorie needs, knowing food
sources of calories, and recognizing associations
between foods and beverages and higher or lower
body weight are all important concepts when building an eating pattern that promotes calorie balance
and weight management. Many Americans are

unaware of how many calories they need each day or
the calorie content of foods and beverages.
understanding calorie needs
The total number of calories a person needs each
day varies depending on a number of factors, including the person’s age, gender, height, weight, and
level of physical activity. In addition, a desire to lose,
maintain, or gain weight affects how many calories
should be consumed. Table 2-3 provides estimated
total calorie needs for weight maintenance based
on age, gender, and physical activity level. A more
detailed table is provided in Appendix 6. Estimates
range from 1,600 to 2,400 calories per day for adult
women and 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day for adult
men, depending on age and physical activity level.
Within each age and gender category, the low end of
the range is for sedentary individuals; the high end of
the range is for active individuals. Due to reductions
in basal metabolic rate that occurs with aging, calorie
needs generally decrease for adults as they age.
Estimated needs for young children range from 1,000
to 2,000 calories per day, and the range for older
children and adolescents varies substantially from
1,400 to 3,200 calories per day, with boys generally
having higher calorie needs than girls. These are
only estimates, and estimation of individual calorie
needs can be aided with online tools such as those
available at MyPyramid.gov.
Knowing one’s daily calorie needs may be a useful
reference point for determining whether the calories
that a person eats and drinks are appropriate in
relation to the number of calories needed each day.
The best way for people to assess whether they
are eating the appropriate number of calories is to
monitor body weight and adjust calorie intake and
participation in physical activity based on changes in
weight over time. A calorie deficit of 500 calories or
more per day is a common initial goal for weight loss
for adults. However, maintaining a smaller deficit
can have a meaningful influence on body weight
over time. The effect of a calorie deficit on weight
does not depend on how the deficit is produced—by
reducing calorie intake, increasing expenditure, or
both. Yet, in research studies, a greater proportion of

32. Data are drawn from analyses of usual dietary intakes conducted by the National Cancer Institute. Source: National Cancer Institute. Food sources of
energy among U.S. population, 2005-2006. Risk Factor Monitoring and Methods. Cancer Control and Population Sciences. 2010. http://riskfactor.cancer.
gov/diet/foodsources/. Updated May 21, 2010. Accessed May 21, 2010.
33. Additional information on the top calorie contributors for various age groups, as well as by gender and race/ethnicity, are available at http://riskfactor.
cancer.gov/diet/foodsources/.
34. Sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened bottled water including vitamin water.
35. Includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, milk shakes, and pudding.
36. Includes cake, cookies, pie, cobbler, sweet rolls, pastries, and donuts.
37. Includes fried or baked chicken parts and chicken strips/patties, chicken stir-fries, chicken casseroles, chicken sandwiches, chicken salads, stewed
chicken, and other chicken mixed dishes.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

the calorie deficit is often due to decreasing calorie
intake with a relatively smaller fraction due to
increased physical activity.
carbohydrate, protein, fat, and alcohol
Carbohydrate, protein, and fat are the main sources
of calories in the diet. Most foods and beverages
contain combinations of these macronutrients in
varying amounts. Alcohol also is a source of calories.
Carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram and are
the primary source of calories for most Americans.
Carbohydrates are classified as simple, including
sugars, or complex, including starches and fibers. Some
sugars are found naturally in foods (such as lactose in

milk and fructose in fruit), whereas others are added
to foods (such as table sugar added to coffee and high
fructose corn syrup in sugar-sweetened beverages).
Similarly, fiber can be naturally occurring in foods (such
as in beans and whole grains) or added to foods. Most
carbohydrate is consumed in the form of starches,
which are found in foods such as grains, potatoes, and
other starchy vegetables. A common source of starch in
the American diet is refined grains. Starches also may
be added to foods to thicken or stabilize them. Added
sugars and added starches generally provide calories
but few essential nutrients. Although most people
consume an adequate amount of total carbohydrates,
many people consume too much added sugar and
refined grain and not enough fiber.

taBle 2-3. estimated calorie needs per day by age, gender, and Physical
activity levela
Estimated amounts of calories needed to maintain calorie balance for various gender and age groups at three
different levels of physical activity. The estimates are rounded to the nearest 200 calories. An individual’s calorie
needs may be higher or lower than these average estimates.
Physical activity levelb
gender

age (years)

sedentary

1,000–1,400

active

2–3

femaled

4–8

1,200–1,400

1,400–1,600

1,400–1,800

male

1,000–1,200

Moderately active

child (female and male)

1,000–1,400c

9–13

1,400–1,600

1,600–2,000

1,800–2,200

14–18

1,800

2,000

2,400

19–30

1,800–2,000

2,000–2,200

2,400

31–50

1,800

2,000

2,200

51+

1,600

1,800

2,000–2,200

4–8

1,200–1,400

1,400–1,600

1,600–2,000

9–13

1,600–2,000

1,800–2,200

2,000–2,600

14–18

2,000–2,400

2,400–2,800

2,800–3,200

19–30

2,400–2,600

2,600–2,800

3,000

31–50

2,200–2,400

2,400–2,600

2,800–3,000

51+

2,000–2,200

2,200–2,400

2,400–2,800

a. Based on Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) equations, using reference heights (average) and reference weights (healthy) for each age/gender
group. For children and adolescents, reference height and weight vary. For adults, the reference man is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 154 pounds. The
reference woman is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 126 pounds. EER equations are from the Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy,
Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington (DC): The National Academies Press; 2002.
b. Sedentary means a lifestyle that includes only the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life. Moderately active means a lifestyle
that includes physical activity equivalent to walking about 1.5 to 3 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per hour, in addition to the light physical activity
associated with typical day-to-day life. Active means a lifestyle that includes physical activity equivalent to walking more than 3 miles per day at 3 to 4
miles per hour, in addition to the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life.
c. The calorie ranges shown are to accommodate needs of different ages within the group. For children and adolescents, more calories are needed at
older ages. For adults, fewer calories are needed at older ages.
d. Estimates for females do not include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

Protein also provides 4 calories per gram. In addition
to calories, protein provides amino acids that assist
in building and preserving body muscle and tissues.
Protein is found in a wide variety of animal and plant
foods. Animal-based protein foods include seafood,
meat, poultry, eggs, and milk and milk products.
Plant sources of protein include beans and peas,
nuts, seeds, and soy products. Inadequate protein
intake in the United States is rare.
Fats provide more calories per gram than any other
calorie source—9 calories per gram. Types of fat
include saturated, trans, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Some fat is found naturally in
foods, and fat is often added to foods during preparation. Similar to protein, inadequate intake of total fat
is not a common concern in the United States. Most
Americans consume too much saturated and trans
fatty acids and not enough unsaturated fatty acids.
Alcohol contributes 7 calories per gram, and the
number of calories in an alcoholic beverage varies
widely depending on the type of beverage consumed.
Alcoholic beverages are
a source of calories but
for More inforMation
See chapters 3 and 4 for
provide few nutrients.
additional discussion about
Alcohol is a top calorie
the macronutrients and
contributor in the diets of
alcohol.
many American adults.
Does macronutrient proportion make a difference for
body weight?
The Institute of Medicine has established ranges for
the percentage of calories in the diet that should come
from carbohydrate, protein, and fat. These Acceptable
Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) take into
account both chronic disease risk reduction and intake
of essential nutrients (Table 2-4).

To manage body weight, Americans should consume
a diet that has an appropriate total number of calories
and that is within the AMDR. Strong evidence shows
that there is no optimal proportion of macronutrients
that can facilitate weight loss or assist with maintaining weight loss. Although diets with a wide range of
macronutrient proportions have been documented
to promote weight loss and prevent weight regain
after loss, evidence shows that the critical issue is
not the relative proportion of macronutrients in the
diet, but whether or not the eating pattern is reduced
in calories and the individual is able to maintain a
reduced-calorie intake over time. The total number
of calories consumed is the essential dietary factor
relevant to body weight. In adults, moderate evidence
suggests that diets that are less than 45 percent of
total calories as carbohydrate or more than 35 percent
of total calories as protein are generally no more effective than other calorie-controlled diets for long-term
weight loss and weight maintenance. Therefore,
individuals who wish to lose weight or maintain
weight loss can select eating patterns that maintain
appropriate calorie intake and have macronutrient
proportions that are within the AMDR ranges recommended in the Dietary Reference Intakes.
individual foods and beverages and body weight
For calorie balance, the focus should be on total
calorie intake, but intake of some foods and beverages
that are widely over- or underconsumed has been
associated with effects on body weight. In studies that
have held total calorie intake constant, there is little
evidence that any individual food groups or beverages
have a unique impact on body weight. Although total
calorie intake is ultimately what affects calorie balance,
some foods and beverages can be easily overconsumed, which results in a higher total calorie intake. As
individuals vary a great deal in their dietary intake, the

taBle 2-4. recommended Macronutrient Proportions by age
carbohydrate

Protein

fat

Young children (1–3 years)

45–65%

5–20%

30–40%

Older children and adolescents (4–18 years)

45–65%

10–30%

25–35%

Adults (19 years and older)

45–65%

10–35%

20–35%

Source: Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids.
Washington (DC): The National Academies Press; 2002.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

best advice is to monitor dietary intake and replace
foods higher in calories with nutrient-dense foods
and beverages relatively low in calories. The following guidance may help individuals control their total
calorie intake and manage body weight:
• increase intake of whole grains, vegetables, and
fruits: Moderate evidence shows that adults who eat
more whole grains, particularly those higher in dietary
fiber, have a lower body weight compared to adults
who eat fewer whole grains. Moderate evidence in
adults and limited evidence in children and adolescents suggests that increased intake of vegetables
and/or fruits may protect against weight gain.
• reduce intake of sugar-sweetened beverages:
This can be accomplished by drinking fewer sugarsweetened beverages and/or consuming smaller
portions. Strong evidence shows that children and
adolescents who consume more sugar-sweetened
beverages have higher body weight compared
to those who drink less, and moderate evidence
also supports this relationship in adults. Sugarsweetened beverages provide excess calories and
few essential nutrients to the diet and should only
be consumed when nutrient needs have been met
and without exceeding daily calorie limits.
• Monitor intake of 100% fruit juice for children
and adolescents, especially those who are overweight or obese: For most children and adolescents, intake of 100% fruit juice is not associated
with body weight. However, limited evidence suggests that increased intake of 100% juice has been
associated with higher body weight in children and
adolescents who are overweight or obese.
• Monitor calorie intake from alcoholic beverages for
adults: Moderate evidence suggests that moderate
drinking of alcoholic beverages38 is not associated
with weight gain. However, heavier than moderate
consumption of alcohol over time is associated with
weight gain. Because alcohol is often consumed in
mixtures with other beverages, the calorie content
of accompanying mixers should be considered when
calculating the calorie content of alcoholic beverages.
Reducing alcohol intake is a strategy that can be used
by adults to consume fewer calories.
Strong evidence in adults and moderate evidence
in children and adolescents demonstrates that consumption of milk and milk products does not play
a special role in weight management. Evidence also

suggests that there is no
for More inforMation
independent relationSee chapters 3 and 4
ship between the intake
for recommendations for
of meat and poultry
individual food groups and
or beans and peas,
components.
including soy, with body
weight. Although not independently related to body
weight, these foods are important sources of nutrients
in healthy eating patterns.
Placing individual food choices into an overall
eating pattern
Because people consume a variety of foods and
beverages throughout the day as meals and snacks,
a growing body of research has begun to describe
overall eating patterns that help promote calorie
balance and weight management. One aspect of
these patterns that has been researched is the
concept of calorie density, or the amount of calories provided per unit of food weight. Foods high
in water and/or dietary fiber typically have fewer
calories per gram and are lower in calorie density,
while foods higher in fat are generally higher in
calorie density. A dietary pattern low in calorie
density is characterized by a relatively high intake
of vegetables, fruit, and dietary fiber and a relatively
low intake of total fat, saturated fat, and added
sugars. Strong evidence shows that eating patterns
that are low in calorie density improve weight loss
and weight maintenance, and also may be associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in adults.
The USDA Food Patterns and the DASH Eating Plan,
described in Chapter 5, are examples of eating patterns that are low in calorie density.
Although total calories consumed is important for
calorie balance and weight management, it is
important to consider the nutrients and other healthful properties of food and beverages, as well as their
calories, when selecting an eating pattern for optimal
health. When choosing carbohydrates, Americans
should emphasize naturally occurring carbohydrates,
such as those found in whole grains, beans and peas,
vegetables, and fruits, especially those high in dietary
fiber, while limiting refined grains and intake of foods
with added sugars. Glycemic index and glycemic load
have been developed as measures of the
effects of carbohydrate-containing foods and beverages on blood sugar levels. Strong evidence shows that
glycemic index and/or glycemic load are not associated
with body weight; thus, it is not necessary to consider

38. Moderate alcohol consumption is the consumption of up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

these measures when selecting carbohydrate foods
and beverages for weight management. For protein,
plant-based sources and/or animal-based sources can
be incorporated into a healthy eating pattern. However,
some protein products, particularly some animal-based
sources, are high in saturated fat, so non-fat, low-fat,
or lean choices should be selected. Fat intake should
emphasize monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats,
such as those found in seafood, nuts, seeds, and oils.
Americans should move
toward more healthful
for More inforMation
eating patterns. Overall,
See chapter 5 for additional discussion of eating
as long as foods and
patterns that meet nutrient
beverages consumed
needs within calorie limits.
meet nutrient needs
and calorie intake is
appropriate, individuals can select an eating pattern that they enjoy and can maintain over time.
Individuals should consider the calories from all
foods and beverages they consume, regardless of
when and where they eat or drink.

calorie Balance:
Physical activity
Physical activity is the other side of the calorie balance
equation and should be considered when addressing
weight management. In 2008, the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services released a comprehensive
set of physical activity recommendations for Americans
ages 6 years and older. Weight management along
with health outcomes, including premature (early)
death, diseases (such as coronary heart disease, type
2 diabetes, and osteoporosis), and risk factors for
disease (such as high blood pressure and high blood
cholesterol) were among the outcomes considered
in developing the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for
Americans.39 Getting adequate amounts of physical
activity conveys many health benefits independent of
body weight.
Strong evidence supports that regular participation in
physical activity also helps people maintain a healthy
weight and prevent excess weight gain. Further, physical activity, particularly when combined with reduced
calorie intake, may aid weight loss and maintenance of
weight loss. Decreasing time spent in sedentary behaviors also is important as well. Strong evidence shows
that more screen time, particularly television viewing,

is associated with overweight and obesity in children,
adolescents, and adults. Substituting active pursuits for
sedentary time can help people manage their weight
and provides other health benefits.
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
provides guidance to help Americans improve their
health, including weight management, through
appropriate physical activity (see Table 2-5). The
amount of physical activity necessary to successfully
maintain a healthy body weight depends on calorie
intake and varies considerably among adults, including older adults. To achieve and maintain a healthy
body weight, adults should do the equivalent40 of
150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity
each week. If necessary, adults should increase their
weekly minutes of aerobic physical activity gradually
over time and decrease calorie intake to a point where
they can achieve calorie balance and a healthy weight.
Some adults will need a higher level of physical activity than others to achieve and maintain a healthy body
weight. Some may need more than the equivalent of
300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity.
For children and adolescents ages 6 years and older,
60 minutes or more of physical activity per day is recommended. Although the Physical Activity Guidelines
do not include a specific quantitative recommendation
for children ages 2 to 5 years, young children should
play actively several times each day. Children and
adolescents are often active in short bursts of time
rather than for sustained periods of time, and these
short bursts can add up to meet physical activity
needs. Physical activities for children and adolescents
of all ages should be developmentally appropriate and
enjoyable, and should offer variety.

PrinciPles for ProMoting calorie
Balance and weight ManageMent
To address the current calorie imbalance in the United
States, individuals are encouraged to become more
conscious of what they eat and what they do. This
means increasing awareness of what, when, why, and
how much they eat, deliberately making better choices
regarding what and how much they consume, and
seeking ways to be more physically active. Several
behaviors and practices have been shown to help
people manage their food and beverage intake and
calorie expenditure and ultimately manage body

39. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services; 2008. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Publication No. U0036. http://www.health.gov/paguidelines. Accessed
August 12, 2010.
40. One minute of vigorous-intensity physical activity counts as two minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity toward meeting the recommendations.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

taBle 2-5. 2008 Physical activity guidelines
age group

guidelines

6 to 17 years

Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity daily.
• Aerobic: Most of the 60 or more minutes a day should be either moderatea- or vigorousbintensity aerobic physical activity, and should include vigorous-intensity physical activity at least
3 days a week.
• Muscle-strengthening: c As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and
adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days of the week.
• Bone-strengthening: d As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and
adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days of the week.
• It is important to encourage young people to participate in physical activities that are appropriate for
their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer variety.

18 to 64 years

• All adults should avoid inactivity. Some physical activity is better than none, and adults who
participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits.
• For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a
week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity
aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity
aerobic activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and
preferably, it should be spread throughout the week.
• For additional and more extensive health benefits, adults should increase their aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity, or 150 minutes a week
of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and
vigorous-intensity activity. Additional health benefits are gained by engaging in physical activity
beyond this amount.
• Adults should also include muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups
on 2 or more days a week.

65 years and
older

• Older adults should follow the adult guidelines. When older adults cannot meet the adult guidelines, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions will allow.
• Older adults should do exercises that maintain or improve balance if they are at risk of falling.
• Older adults should determine their level of effort for physical activity relative to their level
of fitness.
• Older adults with chronic conditions should understand whether and how their conditions affect
their ability to do regular physical activity safely.

a. Moderate-intensity physical activity: Aerobic activity that increases a person’s heart rate and breathing to some extent. On a scale relative to a
person’s capacity, moderate-intensity activity is usually a 5 or 6 on a 0 to 10 scale. Brisk walking, dancing, swimming, or bicycling on a level terrain
are examples.
b. Vigorous-intensity physical activity: Aerobic activity that greatly increases a person’s heart rate and breathing. On a scale relative to a person’s
capacity, vigorous-intensity activity is usually a 7 or 8 on a 0 to 10 scale. Jogging, singles tennis, swimming continuous laps, or bicycling uphill
are examples.
c. Muscle-strengthening activity: Physical activity, including exercise, that increases skeletal muscle strength, power, endurance, and mass. It includes
strength training, resistance training, and muscular strength and endurance exercises.
d. Bone-strengthening activity: Physical activity that produces an impact or tension force on bones, which promotes bone growth and strength. Running,
jumping rope, and lifting weights are examples.
Source: Adapted from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Washington (DC): U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services; 2008. ODPHP Publication No. U0036. http://www.health.gov/paguidelines. Accessed August 12, 2010.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

weight. The behaviors with the strongest evidence
related to body weight include:
• focus on the total number of calories consumed.
Maintaining a healthy eating pattern at an appropriate
calorie level within the AMDR is advisable for weight
management. Consuming an eating pattern low in
calorie density may help to reduce calorie intake and
improve body weight outcomes and overall health.
• Monitor food intake. Monitoring intake has been
shown to help individuals become more aware
of what and how much they eat and drink. The
Nutrition Facts label found on food packaging provides calorie information for each serving of food
or beverage and can assist consumers in monitoring their intake. Also, monitoring body weight and
physical activity can help
prevent weight gain and
for More inforMation
improve outcomes when
See appendix 4 for more
actively losing weight or
information about the
maintaining body weight
Nutrition Facts label.
following weight loss.
• when eating out, choose smaller portions or
lower-calorie options. When possible, order a
small-sized option, share a meal, or take home part
of the meal. Review the calorie content of foods and
beverages offered and choose lower-calorie options.
Calorie information may be available on menus, in a
pamphlet, on food wrappers, or online. Or, instead of
eating out, cook and eat more meals at home.
• Prepare, serve, and consume smaller portions
of foods and beverages, especially those high
in calories. Individuals eat and drink more when
provided larger portions. Serving and consuming
smaller portions is associated with weight loss and
weight maintenance over time.
• eat a nutrient-dense breakfast. Not eating
breakfast has been associated with excess body
weight, especially among children and adolescents.
Consuming breakfast also has been associated
with weight loss and weight loss maintenance, as
well as improved nutrient intake.
• limit screen time. In children, adolescents, and adults,
screen time, especially television viewing, is directly
associated with increased overweight and obesity.
Children and adolescents are encouraged to spend
no more than 1 to 2 hours each day watching television, playing electronic games, or using the computer
(other than for homework). Also, avoid eating while
watching television, which can result in overeating.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Two

Research has investigated additional principles that
may promote calorie balance and weight management. However, the evidence for these behaviors
is not as strong. Some evidence indicates that
beverages are less filling than solid foods, such that
the calories from beverages may not be offset by
reduced intake of solid foods, which can lead to
higher total calorie intake. In contrast, soup, particularly broth or water-based soups, may lead to
decreased calorie intake and body weight over time.
Further, replacing added sugars with non-caloric
sweeteners may reduce calorie intake in the shortterm, yet questions remain about their effectiveness
as a weight management strategy. Other behaviors
have been studied, such as snacking and frequency
of eating, but there is currently not enough evidence
to support a specific recommendation for these
behaviors to help manage body weight.

iMProving PuBlic health through
diet and Physical activity
This chapter has focused on the two main elements
in calorie balance—calories consumed and calories
expended. These elements are critical for achieving and maintaining an appropriate body weight
throughout the lifespan, and they also have broader
implications for the health of Americans.
Although obesity is related to many chronic health
conditions, it is not the only lifestyle-related public
health problem confronting the Nation. Eating patterns that are high in calories, but low in nutrients
can leave a person overweight but malnourished.
Nutritionally unbalanced diets can negatively affect
a person’s health regardless of weight status. Such
diets are related to many of the most common
and costly health problems in the United States,
particularly heart disease and its risk factors and
type 2 diabetes. Similarly, a sedentary lifestyle
increases risk of these diseases. Improved eating patterns and increased physical activity have
numerous health benefits beyond maintaining a
healthy weight.
Improved nutrition, appropriate eating behaviors, and
increased physical activity have tremendous potential
to decrease the prevalence of overweight and obesity,
enhance the public’s health, reduce morbidity and
premature mortality, and reduce health care costs.

Chapter 3

Foods and Food
Components to Reduce

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides sciencebased advice to promote health and reduce the risk
of major chronic diseases through diet and physical
activity. Currently, very few Americans consume
diets that meet Dietary Guideline recommendations. This chapter focuses on certain foods and
food components that are consumed in excessive
amounts and may increase the risk of certain chronic
diseases. These include sodium, solid fats (major
sources of saturated and trans fatty acids), added
sugars, and refined grains. These food components
are consumed in excess by children, adolescents,
adults, and older adults. In addition, the diets of most
men exceed the recommendation for cholesterol.
Some people also consume too much alcohol.
This excessive intake replaces nutrient-dense forms
of foods in the diet, making it difficult for people to
achieve recommended nutrient intake and control

calorie intake. Many Americans are overweight or
obese, and are at higher risk of chronic diseases,
such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain
types of cancer. Even in the absence of overweight
or obesity, consuming too much sodium, solid fats,
saturated and trans fatty acids, cholesterol, added
sugars, and alcohol increases the risk of some of
the most common chronic diseases in the United
States. Discussing solid fats in addition to saturated
and trans fatty acids is important because, apart
from the effects of saturated and trans fatty acids on
cardiovascular disease risk, solid fats are abundant
in the diets of Americans and contribute significantly to excess calorie intake. The recommendations in this chapter are based on evidence that
eating less of these foods and food components can
help Americans meet their nutritional needs within
appropriate calorie levels, as well as help reduce
chronic disease risk.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

Key Recommendations
�
Reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300
milligrams (mg) and further reduce intake
to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 and
older and those of any age who are African
American or have hypertension, diabetes,
or chronic kidney disease. The 1,500 mg
recommendation applies to about half of the
U.S. population, including children, and the
majority of adults.
Consume less than 10 percent of calories
from saturated fatty acids by replacing them
with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated
fatty acids.
Consume less than 300 mg per day of
dietary cholesterol.
Keep trans fatty acid consumption as low
as possible, especially by limiting foods
that contain synthetic sources of trans fats,
such as partially hydrogenated oils, and by
limiting other solid fats.
Reduce the intake of calories from solid fats
and added sugars.
Limit the consumption of foods that
contain refined grains, especially refined
grain foods that contain solid fats, added
sugars, and sodium.
If alcohol is consumed, it should be
consumed in moderation—up to one drink
per day for women and two drinks per day for
men—and only by adults of legal drinking age.

how is an alcoholic
drink defined?
One drink is defined as 12 fluid ounces of
regular beer (5% alcohol), 5 fluid ounces of
wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 fluid ounces of 80
proof (40% alcohol) distilled spirits. One drink
contains 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol.

suPPorting the
recoMMendations
The following sections expand on the recommendations and review the evidence supporting the health
risks associated with greater intake of foods that are
high in sodium, solid fats, added sugars, and refined
grains, and excessive alcohol consumption. An
important underlying principle is the need to control
calorie intake to manage body weight and limit the
intake of food components that increase the risk of
certain chronic diseases. This goal can be achieved
by consuming fewer foods that are high in sodium,
solid fats, added sugars, and refined grains and, for
those who drink, consuming alcohol in moderation.
sodium
Sodium is an essential nutrient and is needed by
the body in relatively small quantities, provided that
substantial sweating does not occur. On average,
the higher an individual’s sodium intake, the higher
the individual’s blood pressure. A strong body
of evidence in adults documents that as sodium
intake decreases, so does blood pressure. Moderate evidence in children also has documented that
as sodium intake decreases, so does blood pressure.
Keeping blood pressure in the normal range reduces
an individual’s risk of cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease. Therefore, adults
and children should limit their intake of sodium.
Virtually all Americans consume more sodium than
they need. The estimated average intake of sodium
for all Americans ages 2 years and older is approximately 3,400 mg per day (Figure 3-1).
Sodium is primarily consumed as salt (sodium
chloride). As a food ingredient, salt has multiple
uses, such as in curing meat, baking, masking offflavors, retaining moisture, and enhancing flavor
(including the flavor of other ingredients). Salt added
at the table and in cooking provides only a small proportion of the total sodium that Americans consume.
Most sodium comes from salt added during food
processing. Many types of processed foods contribute to the high intake of sodium (Figure 3-2).
Some sodium-containing foods are high in sodium,
but the problem of excess sodium intake also is due
to frequent consumption of foods that contain lower
amounts of sodium, such as yeast breads41 (which

41. Includes white bread or rolls, mixed-grain bread, flavored bread, whole-wheat bread or rolls, bagels, flat breads, croissants, and English muffins.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

figure 3-1. estimated Mean daily sodium intake, by age–gender group,
nhanes 2005–2006
5,000

Males
Females

Milligrams per day

4,000

3,000

2,300 mga
2,000

1,500 mgb
1,000

2–5

6–11

12–19

20–29

30–39 40–49
Age (years)

a. 2,300 mg/day is the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for sodium
intake in adults set by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). For children
younger than age 14 years, the UL is less than 2,300 mg/day.
b. 1,500 mg/day is the Adequate Intake (AI) for individuals ages 9 years
and older.

50–59

60–69

>70

figure 3-2. sources of sodium in the diets of the u.s. Population
ages 2 years and older, nhanes 2005–2006a
Yeast
breads
7.3%
All other
food categories
31.9%

Chicken and
chicken mixed
dishes
6.8%
Pizza
6.3%
Pasta and
pasta dishes
5.1%
Cold cuts
4.5%

Readytoeat
cereals
2.0%
Salad dressing
2.4% Burgers
2.4%
Eggs and
Soups
egg mixed
3.3%
dishes
Rice and
Grainbased
2.6%
rice Beef and
desserts
beef mixed
mixed
3.4%
dishes dishes
3.3%
2.6%

a. Data are drawn from analyses of usual dietary intake conducted by the
National Cancer Institute. Foods and beverages consumed were divided
into 97 categories and ranked according to sodium contribution to the
diet. “All other food categories” represents food categories that each
contributes less than 2% of the total intake of sodium from foods.
b. Also includes nachos, quesadillas, and other Mexican mixed dishes.

Condiments
4.4%
Tortillas,
burritos, tacosb
4.1%
Sausage, franks,
bacon, ribs
4.1%

Regular
cheese
3.5%

Source: National Cancer Institute. Sources of Sodium in the Diets of the
U.S. Population Ages 2 Years and Older, NHANES 2005–2006. Risk
Factor Monitoring and Methods, Cancer Control and Population Sciences.
http://riskfactor.cancer.gov/diet/foodsources/sodium/table1a.html.
Accessed August 11, 2010.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

contribute 7% of the sodium in the U.S. diet). Other
sources of sodium include chicken and chicken
mixed dishes42 (7% of sodium intake), pizza (6%),
and pasta and pasta dishes43 (5%). Some of the
sources discussed here and in the following sections contain larger varieties of foods than others
(e.g., chicken and chicken mixed dishes). Therefore,
some of these sources include foods that can be
purchased or prepared to be lower in sodium, as well
as lower in other food components recommended to
be reduced. For example, chicken naturally contains
little sodium. Chicken and chicken mixed dishes can
be prepared by purchasing chicken that has not had
sodium added to it and by not adding salt or ingredients containing sodium.
Americans can reduce their consumption of sodium
in a variety of ways:
• Read the Nutrition Facts label for information on
the sodium content of foods and purchase foods
that are low in sodium.
• Consume more fresh foods and fewer processed
foods that are high in sodium.
• Eat more home-prepared foods, where you have more
control over sodium, and use little or no salt or saltcontaining seasonings when cooking or eating foods.
• When eating at restaurants, ask that salt not be
added to your food or order lower sodium options,
if available.
Sodium is found in a wide variety of foods, and
calorie intake is associated with sodium intake (i.e.,
the more foods and beverages people consume, the
more sodium they tend to consume). Therefore,
reducing calorie intake can help reduce sodium
intake, thereby contributing to the health benefits
that occur with lowering sodium intake.
Because a Recommended Dietary Allowance for
sodium could not be determined, the Institute of
Medicine (IOM)44 set Adequate Intake (AI) levels for
this nutrient. The AI is the recommended daily average intake level of a nutrient, and usual intakes at or
above the AI have a low probability of inadequacy.
The sodium AI is based on the amount that is needed
to meet the sodium needs of healthy and moderately

active individuals.45 It covers sodium sweat losses in
unacclimatized individuals who are exposed to high
temperatures or who become physically active, and
ensures that recommended intake levels for other
nutrients can be met. The sodium AI for individuals ages 9 to 50 years is 1,500 mg per day. Lower
sodium AIs were established for children and older
adults (ages 1 to 3 years: 1,000 mg/day; ages 4 to 8
years: 1,200 mg/day; ages 51 to 70 years: 1,300 mg/
day; ages 71 years and older: 1,200 mg/day) because
their calorie requirements are lower.
For adolescents and adults of all ages (14 years and
older), the IOM set the Tolerable Upper Intake Level
(UL) at 2,300 mg per day. The UL is the highest
daily nutrient intake level that is likely to pose no
risk of adverse health effects (e.g., for sodium,
increased blood pressure) to almost all individuals
in the general population. The IOM recognized that
the association between sodium intake and blood
pressure was continuous and without a threshold
(i.e., a level below which the association no longer
exists). The UL was based on several trials, including data from the Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension (DASH)-Sodium trial. The IOM noted
that in the DASH-Sodium trial, blood pressure was
lowered when target sodium intake was reduced to
2,300 mg per day, and lowered even further when
sodium was targeted to the level of 1,200 mg per
day.46 An intake level of 2,300 mg per day was
commonly the next level above the AI of 1,500 mg
per day that was tested in the sodium trials evaluated by the IOM.
The DASH studies demfor More inforMation
onstrated that the total
See chapter 5 for more
eating pattern, including
information about the
sodium and a number
DASH research trials and
of other nutrients and
the DASH Eating Plan.
foods, affects blood
pressure. In the original
DASH trial, the DASH diet47 resulted in a significant
reduction in blood pressure compared to the control
diet, which was typical of what many Americans
consume. In the DASH-Sodium trial, blood pressure
levels declined with reduced sodium intake for those
who consumed either the DASH or control diet.
However, blood pressure declined most for those

42. Includes fried or baked chicken parts and chicken strips/patties, chicken stir-fries, chicken casseroles, chicken sandwiches, chicken salads, stewed
chicken, and other chicken mixed dishes.
43. Includes macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and other pasta with or without sauces, filled pastas (e.g., lasagna and ravioli), and noodles.
44. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. Washington (DC): The National Academies Press; 2005.
45. Because of increased loss of sodium from sweat, the AI does not apply to highly active individuals and workers exposed to extreme heat stress.
46. The average achieved levels of sodium intake, as reflected by urinary sodium excretion, was 2,500 and 1,500 mg/day.
47. The DASH diet emphasized fruits, vegetables, and low-fat milk and milk products; included whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts; and contained only
small amounts of red meat, sweets, sugar-containing beverages, and decreased amounts of total and saturated fat and cholesterol.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

who both consumed the DASH diet and reduced
their sodium intake.
Americans should reduce their sodium intake to
less than 2,300 mg or 1,500 mg per day depending on age and other individual characteristics.
African Americans, individuals with hypertension,
diabetes, or chronic kidney disease and individuals
ages 51 and older, comprise about half of the U.S.
population ages 2 and older. While nearly everyone
benefits from reducing their sodium intake, the
blood pressure of these individuals tends to be
even more responsive to the blood pressure-raising
effects of sodium than others; therefore, they
should reduce their intake to 1,500 mg per day.
Additional dietary modifications may be needed
for people of all ages with hypertension, diabetes,
or chronic kidney disease, and they are advised
to consult a health care professional. Given the
current U.S. marketplace and the resulting excessive high sodium intake, it is challenging to meet
even the less than 2,300 mg recommendation—
fewer than 15 percent of Americans do so currently. An immediate, deliberate reduction in the
sodium content of foods
in the marketplace
for More inforMation
is necessary to allow
See chapter 4 for a
consumers to reduce
discussion of the health
benefits of foods that
sodium intake to less
contain potassium.
than 2,300 mg or
1,500 mg per day now.
fats
Dietary fats are found in both plant and animal
foods. Fats supply calories and essential fatty acids,
and help in the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. The IOM established acceptable ranges for total fat intake for children and
adults (children ages 1 to 3 years: 30–40% of calories; children and adolescents ages 4 to 18 years:
25–35%; adults ages 19 years and older: 20–35%)
(see Table 2-4). These ranges are associated with
reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, while providing for adequate intake of
essential nutrients. Total fat intake should fall within
these ranges.
Fatty acids are categorized as being saturated,
monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated. Fats contain
a mixture of these different kinds of fatty acids. Trans
fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids. However,

they are structurally different from the predominant
unsaturated fatty acids that occur naturally in plant
foods and have dissimilar health effects.
The types of fatty acids consumed are more important in influencing the risk of cardiovascular disease
than is the total amount of fat in the diet. Animal
fats tend to have a higher proportion of saturated
fatty acids (seafood being the major exception),
and plant foods tend to have a higher proportion of
monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids
(coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and palm oil being the
exceptions) (Figure 3-3).
Most fats with a high percentage of saturated or
trans fatty acids are solid at room temperature and
are referred to as “solid fats,” while those with more
unsaturated fatty acids are usually liquid at room
temperature and are referred to as “oils.” Solid fats
are found in most animal foods but also can be made
from vegetable oils through the process of hydrogenation, as described below.
Despite longstanding recommendations on total fat,
saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol, intakes of these
fats have changed little from 1990 through 2005–
2006, the latest time period for which estimates are
available. Total fat intake contributes an average of
34 percent of calories. The following sections provide
details on types of fat to limit in the diet.
Saturated fatty acids
The body uses some saturated fatty acids for
physiological and structural functions, but it makes
more than enough to meet those needs. People
therefore have no dietary requirement for saturated
fatty acids. A strong body of evidence indicates
that higher intake of most dietary saturated fatty
acids is associated with higher levels of blood total
cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol. Higher total and LDL cholesterol levels
are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Consuming less than 10 percent of calories from
saturated fatty acids and replacing them with
monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fatty
acids is associated with low blood cholesterol levels,
and therefore a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lowering the percentage of calories from dietary
saturated fatty acids even more, to 7 percent of
calories, can further reduce the risk of cardiovascular

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

figure 3-3. fatty acid Profiles of common fats and oils
Saturated fat

Monounsaturated fat

Polyunsaturated fat

100

Fatty acid composition (% of total)

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

tte
r
llo
w)
Pa
Po lm o
i a
rk
fat l
(l
a
rd
Ch
)
ick
en
f
Sh
at
or
ten
Sti
ck
ing b
ma
rga
rin
ec
Co
tto
ns
ee
So
do
ft
il
ma
rga
rin
ed
Pe
an
ut
oi
So
l
yb
ea
n o
il
Ol
ive
oi
l
Co
r
n o
Su
nfl
i
ow l
er
oil
Ca
no
la
Sa
oil
fflo
we
r o
il

Bu
Be

fat

(ta

oil a
el

ut
on

Pa
lm

Co
c

Solid fats
a. Coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and palm oil are called oils because they
come from plants. However, they are semi-solid at room temperature
due to their high content of short-chain saturated fatty acids. They are
considered solid fats for nutritional purposes.
b. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil shortening, which contains trans fats.
c. Most stick margarines contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, a
source of trans fats.

d. The primary ingredient in soft margarine with no trans fats is liquid
vegetable oil.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service,
Nutrient Data Laboratory. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard
Reference, Release 22, 2009. Available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/
bhnrc/ndl. Accessed July 19, 2010.

disease. Saturated fatty acids contribute an average of
11 percent of calories to the diet, which is higher than
recommended. Major sources of saturated fatty acids
in the American diet include regular (full-fat) cheese
(9% of total saturated fat intake); pizza (6%); grainbased desserts48 (6%); dairy-based desserts49 (6%);
chicken and chicken mixed dishes (6%); and sausage,
franks, bacon, and ribs (5%) (Figure 3-4).

of the major food sources of saturated fatty acids can
be purchased or prepared in ways that help reduce
the consumption of saturated fatty acids (e.g.,
purchasing fat-free or low-fat milk, trimming fat from
meat). Oils that are rich in monounsaturated fatty
acids include canola, olive, and safflower oils. Oils
that are good sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids
include soybean, corn, and cottonseed oils.

To reduce the intake of saturated fatty acids, many
Americans should limit their consumption of the
major sources that are high in saturated fatty acids
and replace them with foods that are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. For
example, when preparing foods at home, solid fats
(e.g., butter and lard) can be replaced with vegetable
oils that are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (Figure 3-3). In addition, many

Trans fatty acids
Trans fatty acids are found naturally in some foods and
are formed during food processing; they are not essential in the diet. A number of studies have observed an
association between increased trans fatty acid intake
and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This
increased risk is due, in part, to its LDL cholesterolraising effect. Therefore, Americans should keep their
intake of trans fatty acids as low as possible.

48. Includes cakes, cookies, pies, cobblers, sweet rolls, pastries, and donuts.
49. Includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, milk shakes, and pudding.

Oils

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

Some trans fatty acids that Americans consume are
produced by a process referred to as hydrogenation.
Hydrogenation is used by food manufacturers to
make products containing unsaturated fatty acids
solid at room temperature (i.e., more saturated)
and therefore more resistant to becoming spoiled
or rancid. Partial hydrogenation means that some,
but not all, unsaturated fatty acids are converted to
saturated fatty acids; some of the unsaturated fatty
acids are changed from a cis to trans configuration.
Trans fatty acids produced this way are referred to as
“synthetic” or “industrial” trans fatty acids. Synthetic
trans fatty acids are found in the partially hydrogenated oils used in some margarines, snack foods, and
prepared desserts as a replacement for saturated
fatty acids. Trans fatty acids also are produced by
grazing animals, and small quantities are therefore
found in meat and milk products.50 These are called
“natural” or “ruminant” trans fatty acids. There is
limited evidence to conclude whether synthetic
and natural trans fatty acids differ in their metabolic
effects and health outcomes. Overall, synthetic

trans fatty acid levels in the U.S. food supply have
decreased dramatically since 2006 when the
declaration of the amount of trans fatty acids on the
Nutrition Facts label became mandatory. Consuming
fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products and lean
meats and poultry will reduce the intake of natural
trans fatty acids. Because natural trans fatty acids
are present in meat, milk, and milk products,50 their
elimination is not recommended because this could
have potential implications for nutrient adequacy.
Cholesterol
The body uses cholesterol for physiological and
structural functions, but it makes more than enough
for these purposes. Therefore, people do not need
to eat sources of dietary cholesterol. Cholesterol is
found only in animal foods. The major sources of
cholesterol in the American diet include eggs and
egg mixed dishes (25% of total cholesterol intake),51
chicken and chicken mixed dishes (12%), beef and
beef mixed dishes (6%), and all types of beef burgers (5%).52 Cholesterol intake can be reduced by

50. Milk and milk products also can be referred to as dairy products.
51. Includes scrambled eggs, omelets, fried eggs, egg breakfast sandwiches/biscuits, boiled and poached eggs, egg salad, deviled eggs, quiche, and egg substitutes.
52. Beef and beef mixed dishes and all types of beef burgers would collectively contribute 11% of total cholesterol intake.

figure 3-4. sources of saturated fat in the diets of the u.s. Population
ages 2 years and older, nhanes 2005–2006a
Regular
cheese
8.5%
All other
food categories
24.5%

Pizza
5.9%
Grainbased
desserts
5.8%

Fried white
potatoes
2.0%
Nuts and seeds,
and nut and seed
mixed dishes
2.1%
Potato/corn/
other chips
2.4%
Butter
2.9%
Candy
3.1%
Eggs and
egg mixed
dishes
3.2%

Dairy
desserts
5.6%
Chicken and
chicken mixed
dishes
5.5%
Sausage, franks,
bacon, ribs
4.9%
Burgers
4.4%
Tortillas,
Whole
burritos, tacosb
Reducedfat
milk
4.1%
milk
Beef and
3.4% Pasta
3.9% beef mixed
and
dishes
pasta dishes
4.1%
3.7%

a. Data are drawn from analyses of usual dietary intake conducted by the
National Cancer Institute. Foods and beverages consumed were divided
into 97 categories and ranked according to the saturated fat contribution
to the diet. “All other food categories” represents food categories that
each contributes less than 2% of the total saturated fat intake.
b. Also includes nachos, quesadillas, and other Mexican mixed dishes.

Source: National Cancer Institute. Sources of saturated fat in the diets of
the U.S. population ages 2 years and older, NHANES 2005–2006. Risk
Factor Monitoring and Methods. Cancer Control and Population Sciences.
http://riskfactor.cancer.gov/diet/foodsources/sat_fat/sf.html. Accessed
August 11, 2010.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

limiting the consumption of the specific foods that
are high in cholesterol. Many of these major sources
include foods that can be purchased or prepared in
ways that limit the intake of cholesterol (e.g., using
egg substitutes). Cholesterol intake by men averages
about 350 mg per day, which exceeds the recommended level of less than 300 mg per day. Average
cholesterol intake by women is 240 mg per day.
Dietary cholesterol has been shown to raise blood LDL
cholesterol levels in some individuals. However, this
effect is reduced when saturated fatty acid intake is
low, and the potential negative effects of dietary cholesterol are relatively small compared to those of saturated and trans fatty acids. Moderate evidence shows
a relationship between higher intake of cholesterol
and higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Independent
of other dietary factors, evidence suggests that one
egg (i.e., egg yolk) per day does not result in increased
blood cholesterol levels, nor does it increase the risk of
cardiovascular disease in healthy people. Consuming
less than 300 mg per day of cholesterol can help
maintain normal blood cholesterol levels. Consuming
less than 200 mg per day can further help individuals
at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
calories from solid fats and added sugars
Solid fats
As noted previously, fats contain a mixture of
different fatty acids, and much research has been
conducted on the association between the intake
of saturated and trans fatty acids and the risk of
chronic disease, especially cardiovascular disease.
Most fats with a high percentage of saturated and/
or trans fatty acids are solid at room temperature
and are referred to as “solid fats” (Figure 3-3).
Common solid fats include butter, beef fat (tallow,
suet), chicken fat, pork fat (lard), stick margarine,
and shortening. The fat in fluid milk also is considered to be solid fat; milk fat (butter) is solid at room
temperature but is suspended in fluid milk by the
process of homogenization.
Although saturated and trans fatty acids are components of many foods, solid fats are foods themselves
or ingredients (e.g., shortening in a cake or hydrogenated oils in fried foods). The purpose for discussing
solid fats in addition to saturated and trans fatty
acids is that, apart from the effects of saturated and
trans fatty acids on cardiovascular disease risk, solid

fats are abundant in the diets of Americans and
contribute significantly to excess calorie intake.
Solid fats contribute an average of 19 percent of the
total calories in American diets, but few essential
nutrients and no dietary fiber. Some major food sources
of solid fats in the American diet are grain-based desserts (11% of all solid fat intake); pizza (9%); regular
(full-fat) cheese (8%); sausage, franks, bacon, and ribs
(7%); and fried white potatoes (5%) (Figure 3-5).
In addition to being a major contributor of solid fats,
moderate evidence suggests an association between
the increased intake of processed meats (e.g., franks,
sausage, and bacon) and increased risk of colorectal
cancer and cardiovascular disease.53 To reduce the
intake of solid fats, most Americans should limit their
intake of those sources that are high in solid fats and/
or replace them with alternatives that are low in solid
fats (e.g., fat-free milk). Reducing these sources of
excess solid fats in the diet will result in reduced intake
of saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and calories.
Added sugars
Sugars are found naturally in fruits (fructose) and
fluid milk and milk products (lactose). The majority
of sugars in typical American diets are sugars added
to foods during processing, preparation, or at the
table. These “added sugars” sweeten the flavor of
foods and beverages and improve their palatability.
They also are added to foods for preservation purposes and to provide functional attributes, such as
viscosity, texture, body, and browning capacity.
Although the body’s response to sugars does not
depend on whether they are naturally present in food
or added to foods, sugars found naturally in foods
are part of the food’s total package of nutrients and
other healthful components. In contrast, many foods
that contain added sugars often supply calories, but
few or no essential nutrients and no dietary fiber.
Both naturally occurring sugars and added sugars
increase the risk of dental caries.
Added sugars contribute an average of 16 percent
of the total calories in American diets. Added
sugars include high fructose corn syrup, white
sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, corn syrup solids,
raw sugar, malt syrup, maple syrup, pancake syrup,
fructose sweetener, liquid fructose, honey, molasses,
anhydrous dextrose, and crystal dextrose.

53. The DGAC did not evaluate the components of processed meats that are associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

As a percent of calories from total added sugars,
the major sources of added sugars in the diets of
Americans are soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks
(36% of added sugar intake), grain-based desserts
(13%), sugar-sweetened fruit drinks54 (10%), dairybased desserts (6%), and candy (6%) (Figure 3-6).
Reducing the consumption of these sources of added
sugars will lower the calorie content of the diet, without compromising its nutrient adequacy. Sweetened
foods and beverages can be replaced with those that
have no or are low in added sugars. For example,
sweetened beverages can be replaced with water
and unsweetened beverages.
Why calories from solid fats and added sugars are a
particular concern
Solid fats and added sugars are consumed in excessive
amounts, and their intake should be limited. Together,
they contribute a substantial portion of the calories
consumed by Americans—35 percent on average, or
nearly 800 calories per day—without contributing

importantly to overall nutrient adequacy of the diet.
Moreover, they have implications for weight management. Foods containing solid fats and added sugars
are no more likely to contribute to weight gain than
any other source of calories in an eating pattern
that is within calorie limits. However, as the amount
of solid fats and/or added sugars increases in the
diet, it becomes more difficult to also eat foods with
sufficient dietary fiber and essential vitamins and
minerals, and still stay within calorie limits. For most
people, no more than about 5 to 15 percent of calories
from solid fats and added sugars can be reasonably
accommodated in the
USDA Food Patterns,
for More inforMation
which are designed to
See appendices 7, 8, and 9
meet nutrient needs
for the USDA Food Patterns.
within calorie limits.
Reducing the consumption of solid fats and added
sugars allows for increased intake of nutrient-dense
foods without exceeding overall calorie needs. Because
solid fats and added sugars are added to foods and

54. Includes fruit-flavored drinks, fruit juice drinks, and fruit punch.

figure 3-5. sources of solid fats in the diets of the u.s. Population
ages 2 years and older, nhanes 2003–2004a
Grainbased
desserts
10.8%

All other
food categories
23.1%

Pizza
9.1%

Butter
2.4%
Beef and
beef mixed
dishes
2.9%

Regular
cheese
7.6%

Reducedfat
milk
3.4%
Eggs and
egg mixed
dishes Burgers
3.7%
3.8%
Whole millk
3.9%

Sausage, franks,
bacon, ribs
7.1%
Fried white
potatoes
4.8%
Dairy
Pasta and
desserts
pasta dishes
Tortillas, 4.7%
3.9% Chicken and
burritos, tacosb
chicken mixed
4.6%
dishes
4.1%

a. Data are drawn from analyses of usual dietary intake conducted by the
National Cancer Institute. Foods and beverages consumed were divided
into 97 categories and ranked according to solid fat contribution to the
diet. “All other food categories” represents food categories that each
contributes less than 2% of the total solid fat intake.
b. Also includes nachos, quesadillas, and other Mexican mixed dishes.

Source: National Cancer Institute. Sources of solid fats in the diets of U.S.
population ages 2 years and older, NHANES 2003-2004. Risk Factor
Monitoring and Methods. Cancer Control and Population Sciences.
http://riskfactor.cancer.gov/diet/foodsources/food_groups/table3.html.
Accessed August 11, 2010.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

beverages by manufacturers and by consumers at home,
Americans can reduce their consumption of these food
components in a variety of ways:
• Focus on eating the most nutrient-dense forms of
foods from all food groups.
• Limit the amount of solid fats and added sugars
when cooking or eating (e.g., trimming fat from
meat, using less butter and stick margarine, and
using less table sugar).
• Consume fewer and smaller portions of foods and
beverages that contain
solid fats and/or added
for More inforMation
sugars, such as grainSee chapters 4 and 5 for
based desserts, sodas,
detailed discussion of all of
these strategies.
and other sugar-sweetened beverages.
refined grains
The refining of whole grains involves a process that
results in the loss of vitamins, minerals, and dietary
fiber. Most refined grains are enriched with iron,
thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid before being

the food laBel: a useful tool
“Using the Food Label to Track Calories,
Nutrients, and Ingredients” (Appendix 4)
provides detailed guidance that can help
Americans make healthy food choices.
The Nutrition Facts label provides information
on the amount of calories; beneficial nutrients,
such as dietary fiber and calcium; as well as the
amount of certain food components that should
be limited in the diet, including saturated fat,
trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
The ingredients list can be used to find out
whether a food or beverage contains solid fats,
added sugars, whole grains, and refined grains.

figure 3-6. sources of added sugars in the diets of the u.s. Population
ages 2 years and older, nhanes 2005–2006a
All other
food categories
15.4%
Yeast
breads
2.1%

Soda, energy drinks,
sports drinks
35.7%

Tea
3.5%
Sugars
and honey
3.5%
Readytoeat
cereals
3.8%
Candy
6.1%
Dairy
desserts
6.5%
Fruit drinks
10.5%

a. Data are drawn from analyses of usual dietary intake conducted by the
National Cancer Institute. Foods and beverages consumed were divided
into 97 categories and ranked according to added sugars contribution to
the diet. “All other food categories” represents food categories that each
contributes less than 2% of the total added sugar intake.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

Grainbased
desserts
12.9%

Source: National Cancer Institute. Sources of added sugars in the diets
of the U.S. population ages 2 years and older, NHANES 2005–2006. Risk
Factor Monitoring and Methods. Cancer Control and Population Sciences.
http://riskfactor.cancer.gov/diet/foodsources/added_sugars/table5a.
html. Accessed August 11, 2010.

figure 3-7. sources of refined grains in the diets of the u.s. Population ages 2
years and older, nhanes 2003–2004a
All other
Pancakes, food categories
waffles,
9.5%
French toast
2.2%
Pretzels
2.3%
Readytoeat
cereals
2.4%
Crackers
2.8%
Burgers
2.9%
Quickbreads
3.4%
Potato/corn/
other chips
3.8%
Rice and
rice mixed
dishes
4.4%

Yeast
breads
25.9%

Pizza
11.4%

Chicken and
chicken mixed
dishes
4.4%
Pasta and
pasta dishes
Tortillas,
6.7%
burritos, tacosb
8.0%

a. Data are drawn from analyses of usual dietary intake conducted by the
National Cancer Institute. Foods and beverages consumed were divided
into 97 categories and ranked according to refined grain contribution to
the diet. “All other food categories” represents food categories that each
contributes less than 2% of the total intake of refined grains.
b. Also includes nachos, quesadillas, and other Mexican mixed dishes.

further used as ingredients in foods. This returns
some, but not all, of the vitamins and minerals that
were removed during the refining process.55 Dietary
fiber and some vitamins and minerals that are present in whole grains are not routinely added back to
refined grains. Unlike solid fats and added sugars,
enriched refined grain products have a positive role
in providing some vitamins and minerals. However,
when consumed beyond recommended levels,
they commonly provide excess calories, especially
because many refined
grain products also are
for More inforMation
high in solid fats and
See chapter 4 for additional
added sugars (e.g.,
discussion of whole grains. �
cookies and cakes).
On average, Americans consume 6.3 ounce-equivalents of refined grains per day.56 At the 2,000-calorie

Grainbased
desserts
9.9%

Source: National Cancer Institute. Sources of refined grains in the diets
of the U.S. population ages 2 years and older, NHANES 2003–2004. Risk
Factor Monitoring and Methods. Cancer Control and Population Sciences.
http://riskfactor.cancer.gov/diet/foodsources/food_groups/table3.html.
Accessed August 11, 2010.

level of the USDA Food Patterns, the recommended
amount of refined grains is no more than 3 ounceequivalents per day. Refined grains should be
replaced with whole grains, such that at least half
of all grains eaten are whole grains. Consumption of
refined grain products that also are high in solid fats
and/or added sugars, such as cakes, cookies, donuts,
and other desserts, should be reduced. Major
sources of refined grains in the diets of Americans
are yeast breads (26% of total refined grain intake);
pizza (11%); grain-based desserts (10%); and tortillas, burritos, and tacos (8%) (Figure 3-7).
alcohol
In the United States, approximately 50 percent of
adults are current regular drinkers and 14 percent
are current infrequent drinkers. An estimated
9 percent of men consume an average of more

55. Folic acid is added to enriched refined grains to a level that doubles the amount lost during the refining process.
56. One ounce-equivalent of grain is 1 one-ounce slice bread; 1 ounce uncooked pasta or rice; ½ cup cooked rice, pasta, or cereal; 1 tortilla (6" diameter);
1 pancake (5" diameter); 1 ounce ready-to-eat cereal (about 1 cup cereal flakes).

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

than two drinks per day and 4 percent of women
consume an average of more than one drink per
day. Of those who drink, about 29 percent of U.S.
adult drinkers report binge drinking within the past
month, usually on multiple occasions. This results
in about 1.5 billion episodes of binge drinking in the
United States each year.
The consumption of alcohol can have beneficial or
harmful effects, depending on the amount consumed, age, and other characteristics of the person
consuming the alcohol. Alcohol consumption may
have beneficial effects when consumed in moderation. Strong evidence from observational studies
has shown that moderate alcohol consumption
is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular
disease. Moderate alcohol consumption also is
associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality
among middle-aged and older adults and may help
to keep cognitive function intact with age. However,
it is not recommended that anyone begin drinking
or drink more frequently on the basis of potential
health benefits because moderate alcohol intake also
is associated with increased risk of breast cancer,
violence, drowning, and injuries from falls and motor
vehicle crashes.
Because of the substantial evidence clearly demonstrating the health benefits of breastfeeding,

key definitions for alcohol
what is moderate alcohol consumption?
Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as up
to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks
per day for men.
what is heavy or high-risk drinking? Heavy or
high-risk drinking is the consumption of more
than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 per
week for women and more than 4 drinks on any
day or more than 14 per week for men.
what is binge drinking? Binge drinking is the
consumption within 2 hours of 4 or more drinks
for women and 5 or more drinks for men.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

occasionally consuming an alcoholic drink does
not warrant stopping breastfeeding. However,
breastfeeding women should be very cautious about
drinking alcohol, if they choose to drink at all. If the
infant’s breastfeeding behavior is well established,
consistent, and predictable (no earlier than at 3
months of age), a mother may consume a single
alcoholic drink if she then waits at least 4 hours
before breastfeeding. Alternatively, she may express
breast milk before consuming the drink and feed the
expressed milk to her infant later.
Excessive (i.e., heavy, high-risk, or binge) drinking
has no benefits, and the hazards of heavy alcohol
intake are well known. Excessive drinking increases
the risk of cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension, stroke,
type 2 diabetes, cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract and colon, injury, and violence. Excessive
drinking over time is associated with increased body
weight and can impair short- and long-term cognitive function. For the growing percentage of the
population with elevated blood pressure, reducing
alcohol intake can effectively lower blood pressure, although this is most effective when paired
with changes in diet and physical activity patterns.
Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for
an average of 79,000 deaths in the United States
each year. More than half of these deaths are due to
binge drinking. Binge drinking also is associated with
a wide range of other health and social problems,
including sexually transmitted diseases, unintended
pregnancy, and violent crime.
There are many circumstances in which people
should not drink alcohol:
• Individuals who cannot restrict their drinking to
moderate levels.
• Anyone younger than the legal drinking age.
Besides being illegal, alcohol consumption
increases the risk of drowning, car accidents, and
traumatic injury, which are common causes of
death in children and adolescents.
• Women who are pregnant or who may be pregnant. Drinking during pregnancy, especially in the
first few months of pregnancy, may result in negative behavioral or neurological consequences in
the offspring. No safe level of alcohol consumption
during pregnancy has been established.

• Individuals taking prescription or over-the-counter
medications that can interact with alcohol.
• Individuals with certain specific medical conditions (e.g., liver disease, hypertriglyceridemia,
pancreatitis).
• Individuals who plan to drive, operate machinery,
or take part in other activities that require attention, skill, or coordination or in situations where
impaired judgment could cause injury or death
(e.g., swimming).

chaPter suMMary
On average, American men, women, and children
consume too much sodium, solid fats (the major
source of saturated and trans fatty acids), added
sugars, and refined grains. Men consume too much
cholesterol, which also is found in some solid fats. In
addition, some people consume too much alcohol.

Americans should follow the recommendations
provided in this chapter to help achieve a dietary
pattern that will meet their nutrient needs, control
calorie intake, and help reduce the risk of certain
chronic diseases. This goal can be achieved by
consuming fewer foods high in sodium, solid fats,
added sugars, and refined grains. For people who
drink, alcohol should be consumed in moderation.
It is not recommended that anyone begin drinking alcohol or drink more frequently on the basis
of potential health benefits. The dietary patterns
outlined in Chapter 5 can help Americans reduce
their consumption of these foods, thereby meeting
their nutrient needs within appropriate calorie levels. Appendix 4 discusses how food labels can help
consumers evaluate and compare the nutritional
content and/or ingredients of products, and assist
them in purchasing foods that contain relatively
lower amounts of certain undesirable nutrients and
ingredients, such as sodium, saturated and trans
fats, and added sugars.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Three

Chapter 4

Foods and Nutrients
to Increase

A wide variety of nutritious foods are available in the
United States. However, many Americans do not eat
the array of foods that will provide all needed nutrients
while staying within calorie needs. In the United States,
intakes of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and
milk products,57 and oils are lower than recommended.
As a result, dietary intakes of several nutrients—potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamin D—are low
enough to be of public health concern for both adults
and children. Several other nutrients also are of concern for specific population groups, such as folic acid
for women who are capable of becoming pregnant.
This chapter describes food choices that should
be emphasized to help Americans close nutrient
gaps and move toward healthful eating patterns.

57. Milk and milk products also can be referred to as dairy products.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

Recommendations are
for More inforMation
based on evidence that
See chapter 5 for a
consuming these foods
description of and additional
within the context of an
information about suggestoverall healthy eating
ed healthy eating patterns
and their food group intake
pattern is associated
recommendations.
with a health benefit or
meeting nutrient needs.
Guidance on food
choices for a healthy eating pattern generally groups
foods based on commonalities in nutrients provided
and how the foods are viewed and used by consumers. The following recommendations provide advice
about making choices from all food groups while
balancing calorie needs.

Key Recommendations
Individuals should meet the following
recommendations as part of a healthy eating
pattern and while staying within their calorie
needs.
Increase vegetable and fruit intake.
Eat a variety of vegetables, especially darkgreen and red and orange vegetables and
beans and peas.
Consume at least half of all grains as whole
grains. Increase whole-grain intake by
replacing refined grains with whole grains.
Increase intake of fat-free or low-fat milk and
milk products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese,
or fortified soy beverages.58
Choose a variety of protein foods, which
include seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs,
beans and peas, soy products, and unsalted
nuts and seeds.
Increase the amount and variety of seafood
consumed by choosing seafood in place of
some meat and poultry.
Replace protein foods that are higher in solid
fats with choices that are lower in solid fats
and calories and/or are sources of oils.
Use oils to replace solid fats where possible.
Choose foods that provide more potassium,
dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamin D, which
are nutrients of concern in American diets.
These foods include vegetables, fruits, whole
grains, and milk and milk products.

Recommendations for Specific
Population Groups
Women capable of becoming pregnant59
Choose foods that supply heme iron,
which is more readily absorbed by the body,
additional iron sources, and enhancers
of iron absorption such as vitamin
C-rich foods.
Consume 400 micrograms (mcg) per day
of synthetic folic acid (from fortified foods
and/or supplements) in addition to food
forms of folate from a varied diet.60
Women who are pregnant or
breastfeeding59
Consume 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per

week from a variety of seafood types.

Due to their methyl mercury content,

limit white (albacore) tuna to 6 ounces per

week and do not eat the following four types

of fish: tilefish, shark, swordfish,

and king mackerel.

If pregnant, take an iron supplement as

recommended by an obstetrician or other

health care provider.

Individuals ages 50 years and older
Consume foods fortified with vitamin
B12, such as fortified cereals, or dietary
supplements.

58. Fortified soy beverages have been marketed as “soymilk,” a product name consumers could see in supermarkets and consumer materials. However,
FDA’s regulations do not contain provisions for the use of the term soymilk. Therefore, in this document, the term “fortified soy beverage” includes products
that may be marketed as soymilk.
59. Includes adolescent girls.
60. “Folic acid” is the synthetic form of the nutrient, whereas “folate” is the form found naturally in foods.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

suPPorting the
recoMMendations

Beans and Peas are
unique foods

The following sections expand on the recommendations and review the evidence supporting the health
benefits associated with increased emphasis on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and
milk products, seafood, and oils. An important underlying principle is the need to control calories to manage
body weight while making choices to support these
food and nutrient recommendations. The best way to
do this is to consume foods in nutrient-dense forms.

Beans and peas are the mature forms of
legumes. They include kidney beans, pinto
beans, black beans, garbanzo beans
(chickpeas), lima beans, black-eyed peas,
split peas, and lentils.

Nutrient-dense foods provide vitamins, minerals,
and other substances that may have positive health
effects, with relatively few calories. They are lean
or low in solid fats, and minimize or exclude added
solid fats, added sugars, and added refined starches,
as these add calories but few essential nutrients or
dietary fiber. Nutrient-dense foods also minimize
or exclude added salt or other compounds high in
sodium. Ideally, they are in forms that retain naturally
occurring components such as dietary fiber. All vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk
and milk products, seafood, lean meats and poultry,
eggs, beans and peas (legumes), and nuts and seeds
that are prepared without added solid fats, sugars,
starches, and sodium are nutrient-dense.

Because of their high nutrient content, beans
and peas may be considered both as a vegetable and as a protein food. Individuals can count
beans and peas as either a vegetable or
a protein food.

vegetables and fruits
Three reasons support the recommendation for
Americans to eat more vegetables and fruits. First,
most vegetables and fruits are major contributors
of a number of nutrients that are underconsumed
in the United States, including folate, magnesium,
potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, C, and K.61
Several of these are of public health concern for the
general public (e.g., dietary fiber and potassium) or
for a specific group (e.g., folic acid for women who
are capable of becoming pregnant).
Second, consumption of vegetables and fruits
is associated with reduced risk of many chronic
diseases. Specifically, moderate evidence indicates
that intake of at least 2 1/2 cups of vegetables and
fruits per day is associated with a reduced risk of
cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and
stroke. Some vegetables and fruits may be protective
against certain types of cancer.

Beans and peas are excellent sources of protein.
They also provide other nutrients, such as iron
and zinc, similar to seafood, meat, and poultry.
They are excellent sources of dietary fiber and
nutrients such as potassium and folate, which
also are found in other vegetables.

Green peas and green (string) beans are not
considered to be “Beans and Peas.” Green peas
are similar to other starchy vegetables and are
grouped with them. Green beans are grouped
with other vegetables such as onions, lettuce,
celery, and cabbage because their nutrient
content is similar to those foods.

deciPhering the Juice in Juice
The percent of juice in a beverage may be
found on the package label, such as “contains
25% juice” or “100% fruit juice.” Some labels
may say they provide 100% of a nutrient, such
as “provides 100% Daily Value for vitamin C.”
Unless the package also states it is “100%
juice,” it is not 100% juice. Sweetened juice
products with minimal juice content, such as
juice drinks, are considered sugar-sweetened
beverages rather than fruit juice.

61. Food sources of shortfall nutrients that are not of major concern for public health (e.g., magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C) can be found in Chapter D.2 of
the Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, found at www.dietaryguidelines.gov.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

Third, most vegetables and fruits, when prepared
without added fats or sugars, are relatively low in
calories. Eating them instead of higher calorie foods
can help adults and children achieve and maintain a
healthy weight.
Very few Americans consume the amounts of vegetables recommended as part of healthy eating patterns.
(See Chapter 5 for specific information and recommendations.) For almost all Americans ages 2 years and
older, usual intake falls below amounts recommended.
Similarly, although most Americans 2 to 3 years
of age consume recommended amounts of total
fruits, Americans ages 4 years and older do not.
(See Chapter 5 for specific information and recommendations.) Children ages 2 to 18 years and
adults ages 19 to 30 years consume more than half
of their fruit intake as juice. Although 100% fruit
juice can be part of a healthful diet, it lacks dietary
fiber and when consumed in excess can contribute
extra calories. The majority of the fruit recommended should come from whole fruits, including
fresh, canned, frozen, and dried forms, rather than
from juice. When juices are consumed, 100% juice
should be encouraged. To limit intake of added sugars, fruit canned in 100% fruit juice is encouraged
over fruit canned in syrup.
grains
In the U.S. marketplace, consumers have a wide
variety of grain-based food options. Although Americans generally eat enough total grains, most of the
grains consumed are refined grains rather than whole
grains. Some refined grain foods also are high in solid
fats and added sugars.
Whole grains
Whole grains are a source of nutrients such as
iron, magnesium, selenium, B vitamins, and dietary
fiber. Whole grains vary in their dietary fiber
content. Moderate evidence indicates that wholegrain intake may reduce the risk of cardiovascular
disease and is associated with a lower body weight.
Limited evidence also shows that consuming whole
grains is associated with a reduced incidence of
type 2 diabetes. Consuming enough whole grains
helps meet nutrient needs. Choosing whole grains
that are higher in dietary fiber has additional
health benefits.

whole, refined, and
enriched grains:
what’s the difference?
whole grains include the entire grain seed,
usually called the kernel. The kernel consists
of three components—the bran, germ, and
endosperm. If the kernel has been cracked,
crushed, or flaked, then, to be called a “whole
grain” a food must retain the same relative
proportions of these components as they exist
in the intact grain. Whole grains are consumed either as a single food (e.g., wild rice or
popcorn) or as an ingredient in foods (e.g., in
cereals, breads, and crackers). Some examples
of whole-grain ingredients include buckwheat,
bulgur, millet, oatmeal, quinoa, rolled oats,
brown or wild rice, whole-grain barley, whole
rye, and whole wheat.
refined grains have been milled to remove the
bran and germ from the grain. This is done to
give grains a finer texture and improve their
shelf life, but it also removes dietary fiber, iron,
and many B vitamins.
enriched grains are grain products with B
vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid)
and iron added. Most refined-grain products
are enriched.

At least half of recommended total grain intake
should be whole grains. (See Chapter 5 for specific
information and recommendations.) Less than 5
percent of Americans consume the minimum recommended amount of whole grains, which for many is
about 3 ounce-equivalents62 per day. On average,
Americans eat less than 1 ounce-equivalent of whole
grains per day.
Americans should aim to replace many refinedgrain foods with whole-grain foods that are in their
nutrient-dense forms to keep total calorie intake within
limits. When refined grains are eaten, they should be
enriched. Individuals may choose to consume more
than half of their grains as whole grains. To ensure

62. 1 ounce-equivalent of grain is: 1 one-ounce slice bread; 1 ounce uncooked pasta or rice; 1/2 cup cooked rice, pasta, or cereal; 1 tortilla (6" diameter);
1 pancake (5" diameter); 1 ounce ready-to-eat cereal (about 1 cup cereal flakes).

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

figure 4-1. three ways to Make at least half of total grains whole grainsa
1. 3 ounces of 100% whole grains and 3 ounces of refinedgrain products

100%

2. 2 ounces of 100% whole grains, 2 ounces of partly wholegrain products,b
and 2 ounces of refinedgrain products

100%

>51%

3. 6 ounces of partly wholegrain products

>51%

a. Each one-ounce slice of bread represents a 1 ounce-equivalent of
grains: 1 one-ounce slice bread; 1 ounce uncooked pasta or rice; 1/2
cup cooked rice, pasta, or cereal; 1 tortilla (6" diameter); 1 pancake (5"
diameter); 1 ounce ready-to-eat cereal (about 1 cup cereal flakes). The
figure uses an example for a person whose recommendation is 6 ounces

of total grains with at least 3 ounces from whole grains per day.
b. Partly whole-grain products depicted are those that contribute
substantially to whole-grain intake. For example, products that contain at
least 51% of total weight as whole grains or those that provide at least 8
grams of whole grains per ounce-equivalent.

nutrient adequacy, individuals who consume all of their
grains as whole grains should include some that have
been fortified with folic acid, such as some ready-toeat whole-grain cereals. This is particularly important
for women who are capable of becoming pregnant.

grain in the ingredients list. The whole grain should
be the first ingredient or the second ingredient, after
water. For foods with multiple whole-grain ingredients, they should appear near the beginning of the
ingredients list.

The recommendation to consume at least half of
total grains as whole grains can be met in a number
of ways (Figure 4-1). The most direct way to meet
the whole grain recommendation is to eat at least
half of one’s grain-based
foods as 100% wholefor More inforMation
grain foods. If the only
appendix 4, using the
grains in the ingredients
food label to track
calories, nutrients, and inlist are whole grains, the
gredients, lists some of the
food is a 100% wholewhole grains available in the
grain food. The relative
United States and explains
amount of grain in the
how to use the ingredients
food can be inferred by
list to find whole grains.
the placement of the

Many grain foods contain both whole grains and
refined grains. These foods also can help people
meet the whole grain recommendation, especially
if a considerable proportion of the grain ingredients
is whole grains. For example, foods with at least 51
percent of the total weight as whole-grain ingredients contain a substantial amount of whole grains.
Another example is foods with at least 8 grams of
whole grains per ounce-equivalent.63 Some product
labels show the whole grains health claim64 or the
grams of whole grain in the product. This information
may help people identify food choices that have a
substantial amount of whole grains.

63. Adapted from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) guidance on whole-grain claims. Available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/larc/
Claims/Food_Guide_MyPyramid_Policy.pdf.
64. Products that bear the FDA health claim for whole grains have at least 51% or more of the total ingredients by weight as whole-grain ingredients, as well
as meet other criteria.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

Milk and Milk Products65
Milk and milk products contribute many nutrients, such
as calcium, vitamin D (for products fortified with vitamin D), and potassium, to the diet. Moderate evidence
shows that intake of milk and milk products is linked to
improved bone health, especially in children and adolescents. Moderate evidence also indicates that intake
of milk and milk products is associated with a reduced
risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and
with lower blood pressure in adults.
Intake of milk and milk products, including fortified
soy beverages, is less than recommended amounts
for most adults, children and adolescents ages 4
to 18 years, and many children ages 2 to 3 years.
Recommended amounts are 3 cups per day of
fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products for adults
and children and adolescents ages 9 to 18 years, 2 1/2
cups per day for children ages 4 to 8 years, and 2
cups for children ages 2 to 3 years. (See Chapter 5
for specific information and recommendations.) In
general, intake is lower for females than for males
and declines with age.

group because they are similar to milk both nutritionally66 and in their use in meals.
Protein foods
Protein foods include seafood, meat, poultry, eggs,
beans and peas, soy products, nuts, and seeds. In
addition to protein, these foods contribute B vitamins
(e.g., niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, and B6), vitamin
E, iron, zinc, and magnesium to the diet. However,
protein also is found in some foods that are classified
in other food groups (e.g., milk and milk products).
The fats in meat, poultry, and eggs are considered
solid fats, while the fats in seafood, nuts, and seeds
are considered oils. Meat and poultry should be consumed in lean forms to decrease intake of solid fats.

are seafood and fish the saMe?

Seafood is a large category of marine animals
that live in the sea and in freshwater lakes and
rivers. Seafood includes fish, such as salmon,
tuna, trout, and tilapia, and shellfish, such as
shrimp, crab, and oysters.

The majority of current fluid milk intake comes
from reduced fat (2%) or whole (full-fat) milk, with
smaller amounts consumed as fat-free (skim) or
low-fat (1%) milk. Almost half of the milk and milk
product intake in the United States comes from
cheese, little of which is consumed in a lowerfat form. Choosing fat-free or low-fat milk and
milk products provides the same nutrients with
less solid fat and thus fewer calories. In addition,
selecting more of milk group intake as fat-free or
low-fat fluid milk or yogurt rather than as cheese
can increase intake of potassium, vitamin A, and
vitamin D and decrease intake of sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fatty acids.

Some Americans need to increase their total intake
of protein foods, while others are eating more than is
recommended. Americans should consume protein
foods in amounts recommended for their nutrient and calorie needs. (See Chapter 5 for specific
information and recommendations.) Meat, poultry,
and eggs are the most commonly consumed protein
foods, while seafood, beans and peas, soy products,
nuts, and seeds are consumed in proportionally
smaller amounts.

It is especially important to establish the habit of drinking milk in young children, as those who consume milk
at an early age are more likely to do so as adults. For
individuals who are lactose-intolerant, low-lactose and
lactose-free milk products are available. Those who do
not consume milk or milk products should consume
foods that provide the range of nutrients generally
obtained from the milk group, including protein,
calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin
A. Soy beverages fortified with calcium and vitamins A
and D are considered part of the milk and milk products

Consumption of a balanced variety of protein foods
can contribute to improved nutrient intake and
health benefits. For example, moderate evidence
indicates that eating peanuts and certain tree nuts
(i.e., walnuts, almonds, and pistachios) reduces risk
factors for cardiovascular disease when consumed as
part of a diet that is nutritionally adequate and within
calorie needs. Because nuts and seeds are high in
calories, they should be eaten in small portions and
used to replace other protein foods, like some meat
or poultry, rather than being added to the diet. In

65. Milk and milk products also can be referred to as dairy products.
66. Nutrition assistance programs may have additional nutrient specifications for soy beverages based on Federal requirements or the nutrient needs of
target populations.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

addition, individuals should choose unsalted nuts
and seeds to help reduce sodium intake. Beans and
peas, as discussed previously under Vegetables and
fruits, confer health benefits as sources of important
nutrients such as dietary fiber.
In recent years,
moderate evidence
for More inforMation
has emerged about
See chapter 5 for examples
of how a variety of protein
the health benefits of
foods can be incorporated
consuming seafood.
into eating patterns that
Therefore, the
can confer health benefits.
Dietary Guidelines
for Americans, 2010
includes a new quantitative recommendation for
seafood intake. An intake of 8 or more ounces per
week (less for young children), about 20% of total
recommended intake of protein foods of a variety of
seafood is recommended.67 Additional information
about seafood and the recommendations follows.
Seafood
Mean intake of seafood in the United States is
approximately 3 1/2 ounces per week, and increased
intake is recommended. Seafood contributes a
range of nutrients, notably the omega-3 fatty acids,
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA). Moderate evidence shows that consumption of about 8 ounces68 per week of a variety
of seafood, which provide an average consumption
of 250 mg per day of EPA and DHA, is associated
with reduced cardiac deaths among individuals with and without pre-existing cardiovascular
disease. Thus, this recommendation contributes to
the prevention of heart disease. The recommendation is to consume seafood for the total package of
benefits that seafood provides, including its EPA
and DHA content.
Seafood choices can include those with higher and
lower amounts of EPA and DHA, but, some choices
with higher amounts should be included. Smaller
amounts of seafood are recommended for children. (See Chapter 5 for specific information and
recommendations.)
Moderate, consistent evidence shows that the
health benefits from consuming a variety of seafood
in the amounts recommended outweigh the health
risks associated with methyl mercury, a heavy
metal found in seafood in varying levels.69 Benefits

are maximized with seafood higher in EPA and DHA
but lower in methyl mercury. In addition, eating a
variety of seafood, as opposed to just a few choices,
is likely to reduce the amount of methyl mercury
consumed from any one seafood type. Individuals
who regularly consume more than the recommended amounts of seafood should choose a mix
of seafood that emphasizes choices relatively low in
methyl mercury. Appendix 11 lists common seafood
varieties with the EPA+DHA and mercury content
in a 4-ounce cooked portion. A total of 1,750 mg
per week of EPA+DHA provides an average of
250 mg per day of these omega-3 fatty acids.
Seafood varieties that are commonly consumed in
the United States that are higher in EPA and DHA
and lower in mercury include salmon, anchovies,
herring, sardines, Pacific oysters, trout, and Atlantic
and Pacific mackerel (not king mackerel, which is
high in mercury).
In addition to the health benefits for the general public, the nutritional value of seafood is of
particular importance during fetal growth and
development, as well as in early infancy and childhood. Moderate evidence indicates that intake of
omega-3 fatty acids, in particular DHA, from at
least 8 ounces of seafood per week for women who
are pregnant or breastfeeding is associated with
improved infant health outcomes, such as visual
and cognitive development. Therefore, it is recommended that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding consume at least 8 and up to 12 ounces68 of
a variety of seafood per week, from choices that are
lower in methyl mercury. Obstetricians and pediatricians should provide guidance to women who
are pregnant or breastfeeding to help them make
healthy food choices that include seafood.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should
not eat four types of fish because they are high in
methyl mercury. These are tilefish, shark, swordfish,
and king mackerel (Appendix 11). Women who are
pregnant or breastfeeding can eat all types of tuna,
including white (albacore) and light canned tuna,
but should limit white tuna to 6 ounces per week
because it is higher in methyl mercury.
oils
Fats with a high percentage of monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fatty acids are usually liquid at room
temperature and are referred to as “oils” (see Figure

67. Protein foods recommendations for people who consume a vegetarian diet are described in Chapter 5.
68. Cooked, edible portion.
69. State and local advisories provide information to guide consumers who eat fish caught from local waters. This information can be found at www.epa.
gov/fishadvisories. Accessed July 11, 2010.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

3-3). Oils are not a food group, but are emphasized
because they contribute essential fatty acids and
vitamin E to the diet.
Replacing some satufor More inforMation
rated fatty acids with
See chapter 3 for adunsaturated fatty acids
ditional discussion of the
lowers both total and
types of fats and effects of
low-density lipoprotein
various fatty acids on blood
cholesterol levels.
(LDL) blood cholesterol
levels.
Oils are naturally present in foods such as olives,
nuts, avocados, and seafood. Many common oils
are extracted from plants, such as canola, corn,
olive, peanut, safflower, soybean, and sunflower
oils. Foods that are mainly oil include mayonnaise, oil-based salad dressings, and soft (tub
or squeeze) margarine with no trans fatty acids.
Coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and palm oil are high
in saturated fatty acids and partially hydrogenated
oils contain trans fatty acids. For nutritional purposes, they should be considered solid fats.
Americans consume more solid fats but less oil than
is desirable. (See Chapter 5 for specific information
and recommendations.) Because oils are a concentrated source of calories, Americans should replace
solid fats with oils, rather than add oil to the diet, and
should use oils in small amounts. For example, individuals can use soft margarine instead of stick margarine, replace some meats and poultry with seafood or
unsalted nuts, and use vegetable oils instead of solid
fats, such as butter, in cooking.

United States. Dietary potassium can lower blood
pressure by blunting the adverse effects of sodium
on blood pressure. Other possible benefits of an
eating pattern rich in potassium include a reduced
risk of developing kidney stones and decreased
bone loss. The Adequate Intake (AI) for potassium
for adults is 4,700 mg per day. AIs are amounts of
a nutrient that are adequate for almost everyone in
the population; therefore, intake below an AI may
be adequate for some people. Available evidence
suggests that African Americans and individuals
with hypertension especially benefit from increasing
intake of potassium.
Few Americans, including all age-gender groups,
consume potassium in amounts equal to or greater
than the AI. In view of the health benefits of
adequate potassium intake and its relatively low
current intake by the general population, increased
intake of dietary potassium from food sources is
warranted. Individuals with kidney disease and
those who take certain medications, such as ACE
inhibitors, should consult with their health care
provider for specific guidance on potassium intake.
Dietary sources of potassium are found in all food
groups, notably in vegetables, fruits, and milk and
milk products. Appendix 12 lists food sources of
potassium. Americans should select a variety of food
sources of potassium to meet recommended intake
rather than relying on supplements.

nutrients of concern
Because consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole
grains, milk and milk products, and seafood is lower
than recommended, intake by Americans of some
nutrients is low enough to be of public health concern. These are potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, and
vitamin D. In addition, as
discussed below, intake
for More inforMation
of iron, folate, and
See chapter 5 for a discusvitamin B12 is of concern
sion of the role of supplefor specific population
ments and fortified foods.
groups.

Dietary fiber
Dietary fiber is the non-digestible form of carbohydrates and lignin. Dietary fiber naturally occurs
in plants, helps provide a feeling of fullness, and is
important in promoting healthy laxation. Some of
the best sources of dietary fiber are beans and peas,
such as navy beans, split peas, lentils, pinto beans,
and black beans. Additional sources of dietary fiber
include other vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and
nuts. All of these foods are consumed below recommended levels in the typical American diet. Bran,
although not a whole grain, is an excellent source
of dietary fiber. Appendix 13 lists food sources of
dietary fiber.

Potassium
As described in chapter 3: foods and food components to reduce, high intake of sodium is related to
the high prevalence of high blood pressure in the

Dietary fiber that occurs naturally in foods may help
reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity,
and type 2 diabetes. Children and adults should
consume foods naturally high in dietary fiber in order

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

to increase nutrient density, promote healthy lipid
profiles and glucose tolerance, and ensure normal
gastrointestinal function. Fiber is sometimes added
to foods and it is unclear if added fiber provides the
same health benefits as naturally occurring sources.
The AI for fiber is 14 g per 1,000 calories, or 25 g
per day for women and 38 g per day for men. Most
Americans greatly underconsume dietary fiber, and
usual intake averages only 15 g per day. Breads, rolls,
buns, and pizza crust made with refined flour are not
among the best sources of dietary fiber, but currently
contribute substantially to dietary fiber consumption
because they are ubiquitous in typical American diets.
To meet the recommendation for fiber, Americans
should increase their consumption of beans and peas,
other vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other foods
with naturally occurring fiber. Whole grains vary in
fiber content. The Nutrition Facts label can be used to
compare whole-grain products and find choices that
are higher in dietary fiber.
Calcium
Adequate calcium status is important for optimal
bone health. In addition, calcium serves vital roles
in nerve transmission, constriction and dilation of
blood vessels, and muscle contraction. A significant
number of Americans have low bone mass, a risk
factor for osteoporosis, which places them at risk of
bone fractures. Age groups of particular concern due
to low calcium intake from food include children ages
9 years and older, adolescent girls, adult women, as
well as adults ages 51 years and older. All ages are
encouraged to meet their Recommended Dietary
Allowance (RDA) for calcium.
Milk and milk products contribute substantially to
calcium intake by Americans. Calcium recommendations may be achieved by consuming recommended
levels of fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
and/or consuming alternative calcium sources
(Appendix 14). Removing milk and milk products
from the diet requires careful replacement with other
food sources of calcium, including fortified foods.
Calcium in some plant foods is well absorbed, but
consuming enough plant foods to achieve the RDA
may be unrealistic for many.
Vitamin D
Adequate vitamin D status is important for health.
Extreme lack of vitamin D (i.e., vitamin D deficiency)
results in rickets in children and osteomalacia

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

(softening of bones) in adults. Adequate vitamin
D also can help reduce the risk of bone fractures.
Although dietary intakes of vitamin D are below
recommendations, recent data from the National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
indicate that more than 80 percent of Americans
have adequate vitamin D blood levels. Vitamin D is
unique in that sunlight on the skin enables the body
to make vitamin D.
In the United States, most dietary vitamin D is
obtained from fortified foods, especially fluid milk
and some yogurts (Appendix 15). Some other foods
and beverages, such as breakfast cereals, margarine,
orange juice, and soy beverages, also are commonly fortified with this nutrient. Natural sources of
vitamin D include some kinds of fish (e.g., salmon,
herring, mackerel, and tuna) and egg yolks, which
have smaller amounts. It also is available in the form
of dietary supplements.
The RDAs for vitamin D, which assume minimal
sun exposure, are 600 IU (15 mcg) per day for
children and most adults and 800 IU (20 mcg)
for adults older than 70 years. As intake increases
above 4,000 IU (100 mcg) per day, the potential
risk of adverse effects increases.
Additional nutrients of concern for specific groups
iron: Substantial numbers of women who are
capable of becoming pregnant, including adolescent
girls, are deficient in iron. They can improve their
iron status by choosing foods that supply heme
iron, which is more readily absorbed by the body,
as well as additional iron sources and enhancers
of iron absorption such as vitamin C-rich foods.
Sources of heme iron include lean meat and poultry
and seafood. Additional iron sources are non-heme
iron in plant foods, such as white beans, lentils, and
spinach, as well as foods enriched with iron, such as
most breads and cereals. However, non-heme iron is
not as readily absorbed by the body. Women who are
pregnant are advised to take an iron supplement as
recommended by an obstetrician or other health care
provider.
folate: Folic acid fortification in the United States
has been successful in reducing the incidence
of neural tube defects. However, many women
capable of becoming pregnant still do not meet
the recommended intake for folic acid. All women
capable of becoming pregnant are advised to

consume 400 mcg of synthetic folic acid daily
(from fortified foods and/or supplements) in
addition to food forms of folate from a varied diet.
Women who are pregnant are advised to consume
600 mcg of dietary folate equivalents70 daily
from all sources. Sources of food folate include
beans and peas, oranges and orange juice, and
dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach and
mustard greens. Folic acid is the form added to
foods such as fortified grain products.
vitamin B12: On average, Americans ages 50
years and older consume adequate vitamin B12.
Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of individuals
ages 50 years and older may have reduced ability
to absorb naturally occurring vitamin B12. However,
the crystalline form of the vitamin is well absorbed.
Therefore, individuals ages 50 years and older are
encouraged to include foods fortified with vitamin B12,
such as fortified cereals, or take dietary supplements.

chaPter suMMary
Many Americans do not eat the variety and
amounts of foods that will provide needed nutrients while avoiding excess calorie intake. They
should increase their intake of vegetables, fruits,
whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk
products, seafood, and oils. These food choices
can help promote nutrient adequacy, keep calories
in control, and reduce risks of chronic diseases.
Consuming these foods is associated with a health
benefit and/or with meeting nutrient needs. They
should be emphasized to help Americans close
nutrient gaps and move toward healthful eating
patterns. They provide an array of nutrients, including those of public health concern: potassium,
dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamin D. It is important
that while increasing intake of these foods, Americans make choices that minimize intake of calories
from solid fats and added sugars, which provide
few essential nutrients.

70. Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE) adjust for the difference in bioavailability of food folate compared with synthetic folic acid. 1 DFE = 1 mcg food folate =
0.6 mcg folic acid from supplements and fortified foods taken with meals.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Four

Chapter 5

Building Healthy
Eating Patterns

Individuals and families can incorporate the recommendations presented in each of the previous
chapters into an overall healthy way to eat—a
healthy eating pattern.71 A growing body of evidence
from research on eating patterns supports these
recommendations. A healthy eating pattern is not
a rigid prescription, but rather an array of options
that can accommodate cultural, ethnic, traditional,
and personal preferences and food cost and availability. Americans have flexibility in making choices
to create a healthy eating pattern that meets nutrient
needs and stays within calorie limits. This chapter
describes research findings from clinical trials of
eating patterns and from observational studies of
traditional eating patterns. The chapter also explains
the principles for selecting a healthy eating pattern.
Several templates—adaptable guides for healthy eating—have been developed that show how Americans
can put these principles into action: the USDA Food
Patterns, lacto-ovo vegetarian or vegan adaptations
of the USDA Food Patterns, and the DASH72 Eating
Plan. These templates translate and integrate dietary

recommendations into an overall healthy way to
eat. They identify average daily amounts of foods,
in nutrient-dense forms, to eat from all food groups
and include limits for some dietary components.
Consumers, professionals, and organizations can
make use of these templates to plan healthy eating
patterns or assess food and beverage choices.

Key Recommendations
�
Select an eating pattern that meets nutrient
needs over time at an appropriate calorie level.
Account for all foods and beverages
consumed and assess how they fit within a
total healthy eating pattern.
Follow food safety recommendations when
preparing and eating foods to reduce the
risk of foodborne illnesses.

71. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 uses the term “eating pattern,” rather than the term “total diet” (the term used in the 2010 DGAC report), to refer
to the combination of foods and beverages that constitute an individual’s complete dietary intake over time. The term “diet” may be misconstrued as an
eating pattern intended for weight loss.
72. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

research inforMs us aBout
healthy eating Patterns
Around the world and within the United States, people
make strikingly different food choices and have different diet-related health outcomes. Although the study
of eating patterns is complex, evidence from international scientific research has identified various eating
patterns that may provide short- and long-term health
benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic disease.
Many traditional eating patterns can provide health
benefits, and their variety demonstrates that people
can eat healthfully in a number of ways.
Several types of research studies have been conducted on these eating patterns, including clinical
trials and prospective studies that measure specific
health outcomes or health-related risk factors, and
observational studies of traditional eating patterns.
Considerable research exists on health outcomes
as well as information on nutrient and food group
composition of some eating patterns constructed
for clinical trials (e.g., DASH and its variations) and
traditional eating patterns (e.g., Mediterraneanstyle patterns). Some evidence for beneficial health
outcomes for adults also exists for vegetarian eating
patterns. In addition, investigators have studied traditional Japanese and Okinawan dietary patterns and
have found associations with a low risk of coronary
heart disease. However, detailed information on the
composition of these Asian diets, and evidence on
health benefits similar to that available for the other
types of diets, is very limited.
research on dietary approaches to stop
hypertension (dash)
The DASH eating pattern and its variations have
been tested in clinical trials. In these studies, specific
foods are provided and health impacts monitored
over time. Prospective studies also have been conducted in groups of people who make their own food
choices, to identify and evaluate eating patterns that
are similar to DASH.
DASH emphasizes vegetables, fruits, and low-fat milk
and milk products;73 includes whole grains, poultry,
seafood, and nuts; and is lower in sodium, red and
processed meats, sweets, and sugar-containing beverages than typical intakes in the United States. One of
the original DASH study diets also was lower in total
fat (27% of calories) than typical American intakes.

However, modifications containing higher levels of
either unsaturated fatty acids or protein have been
tested. In research studies, each of these DASHstyle patterns lowered blood pressure, improved
blood lipids, and reduced cardiovascular disease risk
compared to diets that were designed to resemble a
typical American diet. The DASH-Sodium study of
hypertensives and pre-hypertensives also reduced
sodium, and resulted in lower blood pressure in
comparison to the same eating pattern, but with a
higher sodium intake. Eating patterns that are similar
to DASH also have been associated with a reduced
risk of cardiovascular disease and lowered mortality.
research on Mediterranean-style eating patterns
A large number of cultures and agricultural patterns
exist in countries that border the Mediterranean
Sea, so the “Mediterranean diet” is not one eating
pattern. No single set of criteria exists for what constitutes a traditional Mediterranean eating pattern.
However, in general terms, it can be described as an
eating pattern that emphasizes vegetables, fruits and
nuts, olive oil, and grains (often whole grains). Only
small amounts of meats and full-fat milk and milk
products are usually included. It has a high monounsaturated to saturated fatty acid intake ratio and
often includes wine with meals.
Traditional eating patterns found throughout the
Mediterranean region, especially in Crete during
the 1960s, are associated with a low risk of cardiovascular disease. Over time, the diet of Crete has
changed remarkably and is now characterized by
higher intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol,
and reduced intake of monounsaturated fatty acids,
while total fat consumption has fallen. Over this
same period of time, the population of Crete has
experienced a steady rise in risk of heart disease.
A number of studies with varying designs have
examined the effects of Mediterranean-style eating
patterns on cardiovascular disease and total mortality. Most of these studies apply a score that compares an individual’s food group or nutrient intake
to median intake of the study population: a higher
“Mediterranean diet score” is above the median
intake for the study population in vegetables, fruits,
nuts, legumes, whole grains/cereals, and fish; below
the median intake for red and processed meats;
moderate in alcohol intake; with a high monounsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid ratio; and in

73. Milk and milk products also can be referred to as dairy products.
DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

many cases, below the median intake for milk and milk
products. In most studies, individuals with a higher
Mediterranean diet score have reduced cardiovascular
disease risk factors, reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease, and a lower rate of total mortality.
research on vegetarian eating patterns
The types of vegetarian diets consumed in the
United States vary widely. Vegans do not consume
any animal products, while lacto-ovo vegetarians
consume milk and eggs. Some individuals eat diets
that are primarily vegetarian but may include small
amounts of meat, poultry, or seafood.
In prospective studies of adults, compared to nonvegetarian eating patterns, vegetarian-style eating
patterns have been associated with improved health
outcomes—lower levels of obesity, a reduced risk
of cardiovascular disease, and lower total mortality.
Several clinical trials have documented that vegetarian eating patterns lower blood pressure.
On average, vegetarians consume a lower proportion
of calories from fat (particularly saturated fatty acids);
fewer overall calories; and more fiber, potassium,
and vitamin C than do non-vegetarians. Vegetarians
generally have a lower body mass index. These characteristics and other lifestyle factors associated with
a vegetarian diet may contribute to the positive health
outcomes that have been identified among vegetarians.
common elements of the healthy eating
patterns examined
Although healthy eating patterns around the world
are diverse, some common threads exist. They are
abundant in vegetables and fruits. Many emphasize
whole grains. They include moderate amounts and
a variety of foods high in protein (seafood, beans
and peas, nuts, seeds, soy products, meat, poultry,
and eggs). They include only limited amounts of
foods high in added sugars and may include more
oils than solid fats. Most are low in full-fat milk and
milk products. However, some include substantial
amounts of low-fat milk and milk products. In some
patterns, wine is included with meals. Compared to
typical American diets, these patterns tend to have
a high unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio and a
high dietary fiber and potassium content. In addition,
some are relatively low in sodium compared to
current American intake.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

These elements of healthy traditional and
constructed (e.g., DASH) eating patterns are generally consistent with the recommendations from
Chapters 2, 3, and 4 about what Americans should
eat. The recommendations in these chapters, summarized below, are based on studies of specific
dietary components:
• Limit calorie intake to the amount needed to
attain or maintain a healthy weight for adults,
and for appropriate weight gain in children and
adolescents.
• Consume foods from all food groups in nutrientdense forms and in recommended amounts.
• Reduce intake of solid fats (major sources of saturated and trans fatty acids).
• Replace solid fats with oils (major sources of
polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids)
when possible.
• Reduce intake of added sugars.
• Reduce intake of refined grains and replace some
refined grains with whole grains.
• Reduce intake of sodium (major component of salt).
• If consumed, limit alcohol intake to moderate levels.
• Increase intake of vegetables and fruits.
• Increase intake of whole grains.
• Increase intake of milk and milk products and
replace whole milk and full-fat milk products with
fat-free or low-fat choices to reduce solid fat intake.
• Increase seafood intake by replacing some meat or
poultry with seafood.
Although there is no single “American” or “Western”
eating pattern, average American eating patterns
currently bear little resemblance to these dietary
recommendations. Americans eat too many calories and too much solid fat, added sugars, refined
grains, and sodium. Americans also consume too
little potassium; dietary fiber; calcium; vitamin D;
unsaturated fatty acids from oils, nuts, and seafood;
and other important nutrients. These nutrients are
mostly found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and
low-fat milk and milk products. Figure 5-1 graphically
shows how the typical American diet compares to
recommended intakes or limits.

figure 5-1. how do typical american diets compare to recommended intake
levels or limits?
Usual intake as a percent of goal or limit
Eat more of these:

GOAL

15%

Whole grains
Vegetables
Fruits
Dairy

59%
42%
52%

Seafood
Oils

44%
61%

Fiber
Potassium

40%
56%

Vitamin D
Calcium

28%
75%

LIMIT

Eat less of these:

280%

Calories from SoFAS*
Refined grains

200%
149%

Sodium
Saturated fat

110%

50%

100%

150%

200%

250%

300%

Percent of goal or limit
*SoFAS = solid fats and added sugars.
Note: Bars show average intakes for all individuals (ages 1 or 2 years or
older, depending on the data source) as a percent of the recommended
intake level or limit. Recommended intakes for food groups and limits
for refined grains and solid fats and added sugars are based on amounts
in the USDA 2000-calorie food pattern. Recommended intakes for fiber,
potassium, vitamin D, and calcium are based on the highest AI or RDA
for ages 14 to 70 years. Limits for sodium are based on the UL and for

PrinciPles for achieving a
healthy eating Pattern
focus on nutrient-dense foods
A healthy eating pattern focuses on nutrient-dense
foods—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free
or low-fat milk and milk products, lean meats and
poultry, seafood, eggs, beans and peas, and nuts and
seeds that are prepared without added solid fats,
sugars, starches, and
sodium. Combined into
for More inforMation
an eating pattern, these
See chapter 4 for a more
foods can provide the
detailed description of
nutrient-dense foods.
full range of essential
nutrients and fiber,

saturated fat on 10% of calories. The protein foods group is not shown
here because, on average, intake is close to recommended levels.
Based on data from: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural
Research Service and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What We Eat in America,
NHANES 2001–2004 or 2005–2006.

without excessive calories. The oils contained in
seafood, nuts and seeds, and vegetable oils added to
foods also contribute essential nutrients.
Most people’s eating patterns can accommodate only
a limited number of calories from solid fats and added
sugars. These calories are best used to increase the
palatability of nutrient-dense foods rather than to consume foods or beverages that are primarily solid fats,
added sugars, or both. A few examples of nutrientdense foods containing some solid fats or added
sugars include whole-grain breakfast cereals that
contain small amounts of added sugars, cuts of meat
that are marbled with fat, poultry baked with skin on,
vegetables topped with butter or stick margarine, fruit

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

sprinkled with sugar, and fat-free chocolate milk. In
addition, for those who consume alcohol, the calories
in these beverages need to be considered as part of
total calorie intake; they
reduce the allowance for
for More inforMation
calories from solid fats
See chapter 3 for more
and added sugars that
information about solid fats
and added sugars.
can be accommodated
in an eating pattern.
Too often, however, Americans choose foods that
are not in nutrient-dense forms. Figure 5-2 shows
examples of typical food choices from each food
group, and the number of additional calories in these
foods compared to a nutrient-dense version of the
same food. In these examples, the extra calories from
added fats and sugars, or refined grains (breading)
are from about one-quarter to more than half of the
total calories in the food product.

to the diet without providing essential nutrients. Their
consumption should be planned in the context of total
calorie intake and how they can fit into the eating
pattern of each individual. Currently, American adults
ages 19 years and older consume an average of about
400 calories per day as beverages. The major types of
beverages consumed by adults, in descending order
by average calorie intake, are: regular soda, energy,
and sports drinks; alcoholic beverages; milk (including
whole, 2%, 1%, and fat-free); 100% fruit juice; and
fruit drinks. Children ages 2 to 18 years also consume
an average of 400 calories per day as beverages. The
major beverages for children are somewhat different and, in order by average calorie intake, are: milk
(including whole, 2%, 1%, and fat-free); regular soda,
energy, and sports drinks; fruit drinks; and 100%
fruit juice. Among children and adolescents, milk and
100% fruit juice intake is higher for younger children,
and soda intake is higher for adolescents.

remember that beverages count
Beverages contribute substantially to overall dietary
and calorie intake for most Americans. Although they
provide needed water, many beverages add calories

The calorie content of beverages varies widely,
and some of the beverages with the highest intake,
including regular sodas, fruit drinks, and alcoholic
beverages, contain calories but provide few or no

figure 5-2. examples of the calories in food choices that are not in nutrient- dense
forms and the calories in nutrient- dense forms of these foods
Calories in nutrientdense form of the food

Additional calories in food as consumed

Extra lean ground beef patty (90% lean)

Regular ground beef
patty (75% lean) cooked
3 ounces

Beef fat

184

Breaded fried chicken strips
3 ounces
Frosted corn flakes cereal
1 cup
Curly french fried potatoes
1 cup

Baked chicken breast

Breading and frying fat

138

108

Corn flakes

Added sugars

Frying fat

117

141

Fatfree milk

Milk fat

258 total

Added sugars

105

Whole milk
1 cup

246 total

147 total

Baked potato

Unsweetened applesauce

Sweetened applesauce
1 cup

236 total

100

173 total

149 total
150
Calories

200

250

300

Based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies 4.1. http://
www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=20511 and USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23. http://www.nal.usda.
gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

a sPecial note aBout
water intake
Total water intake includes water from fluids
(drinking water and other beverages) and
the water that is contained in foods. Healthy
individuals, in general, have an adequate total
water intake to meet their needs when they
have regular access to drinking water and other
beverages. The combination of thirst and typical behaviors, such as drinking beverages with
meals, provides sufficient total water intake.
Individual water intake needs vary widely,
based in part on level of physical activity and
exposure to heat stress. Heat waves have the
potential to result in an increased risk of dehydration, especially in older adults.
Although the IOM set an Adequate Intake
(AI) for total water, it was based on median
total water intake estimated from U.S. dietary
surveys. Therefore, the AI should not be considered as a specific requirement level.

fluoride and hygiene
are keys to oral health
Drinking fluoridated water and/or using
fluoride-containing dental products helps reduce
the risk of dental caries. Most bottled water is
not fluoridated. With the increase in consumption of bottled water, Americans may not be
getting enough fluoride to maintain oral health.
During the time that sugars and starches are
in contact with teeth, they also contribute to
dental caries. A combined approach of reducing the amount of time sugars and starches
are in the mouth, drinking fluoridated water,
and brushing and flossing teeth, is the most
effective way to reduce dental caries.

essential nutrients. Other beverages, however, such
as fat-free or low-fat milk and 100% fruit juice,
provide a substantial amount of nutrients along with
the calories they contain. Water and unsweetened
beverages, such as coffee and tea, contribute to total
water intake without adding calories. To limit excess
calories and maintain
healthy weight, individufor More inforMation
als are encouraged to
See chapters 2 and 3 for
drink water and other
additional information about
beverages with few or no
sugar-sweetened beverages
calories, in addition to
and alcoholic beverages,
and chapter 4 for more on
recommended amounts
100% fruit juice and milk.
of low-fat or fat-free milk
and 100% fruit juices.
follow food safety principles
Ensuring food safety is an important principle for building healthy eating patterns. Foodborne illness affects
more than 76 million individuals in the United States
every year and leads to 325,000 hospitalizations and
5,000 deaths.74 The proportion of outbreaks that can
be attributed to unsafe food safety practices in the
home is unknown, but is assumed to be substantial.
Washing hands, rinsing vegetables and fruits, preventing cross-contamination, cooking foods to safe internal
temperatures, and storing foods safely in the home
kitchen are the behaviors
most likely to prevent
for More inforMation
food safety problems.
See appendix 3 for more
These behaviors are
information about the four
highlighted in the four
food safety principles and
basic food safety prinadditional guidance for
ciples that work together
specific population groups
that are at higher risk of
to reduce the risk of
foodborne illness.
foodborne illnesses.
These principles are:
• clean hands, food contact surfaces, and vegetables
and fruits.
• separate raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat foods
while shopping, storing, and preparing foods.
• cook foods to a safe temperature.
• chill (refrigerate) perishable foods promptly.
In addition, some foods pose high risk of foodborne
illness. These include raw (unpasteurized) milk,
cheeses, and juices; raw or undercooked animal
foods, such as seafood, meat, poultry, and eggs; and
raw sprouts. These foods should be avoided.

74. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Food Safety Web site. http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/. Accessed November 12, 2010.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

coPing with food
allergies or intolerances
Some individuals may have an allergy or
intolerance to one or more foods that are part
of a healthy eating pattern. Common food
allergies include those to milk, eggs, fish,
crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts,
and soybeans. Proteins in these foods trigger an
abnormal immune response in persons allergic
to the food. In comparison, food intolerances
are due to the inability of the body to digest or
metabolize a food component. For example,
lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of
the enzyme lactase that breaks down the sugar
lactose in milk and milk products.
Because food allergies and food intolerances
can cause some of the same symptoms (e.g.,
stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea), they
are often mistaken for one another. Those who
think they may have a food allergy or a food
intolerance should be medically evaluated to
avoid unnecessarily eliminating foods from
their diet. Most persons who have a food
allergy need to totally eliminate the offending
food and ingredients that contain the food’s
protein from their diet. However, for some food
intolerances, like lactose intolerance, smaller
portions (e.g., 4 ounces of milk) or a modified
version of the offending food (e.g., lactosereduced or lactose-free milk, yogurt, or cheese)
may be well tolerated. More information on
food allergies and food intolerances can be
found at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/
foodallergy/Pages/default.aspx.

consider the role of supplements and
fortified foods
A fundamental premise of the Dietary Guidelines
is that nutrients should come primarily from foods.
Foods in nutrient-dense, mostly intact forms contain not only the essential vitamins and minerals
that are often contained in nutrient supplements,
but also dietary fiber and other naturally occurring
substances that may have positive health effects.

Americans should aim to meet their nutrient requirements through a healthy eating pattern that includes
nutrient-dense forms of foods, while balancing
calorie intake with energy expenditure.
Dietary supplements or fortification of certain
foods may be advantageous in specific situations to
increase intake of a specific vitamin or mineral. In
some cases, fortification can provide a food-based
means for increasing intake of particular nutrients
or providing nutrients in highly bioavailable forms.
For example:
• vitamin d. For many years, most fluid milk has
been fortified with vitamin D to increase calcium absorption and prevent rickets. Vitamin
D-fortified milk is now the major dietary source
of vitamin D for many Americans. Other beverages and foods that often are fortified with vitamin D include orange juice, soy beverages,75 and
yogurt. Vitamin D also is available as a dietary
supplement. As intake increases above 4,000 IU
(100 mcg) per day, the potential risk of adverse
effects increases.
• folic acid. More recently, folic acid fortification of enriched grains was mandated to reduce
the incidence of neural tube defects, which are
serious birth defects of the brain and spine.
Subsequently, folate intake has increased substantially. It is recommended that all women who
are capable of becoming pregnant consume 400
mcg per day of folic acid from these fortified
foods or from dietary supplements, in addition to
eating food sources of folate.
• vitamin B12. Foods fortified with the crystalline
form of vitamin B12, such as fortified cereals, or
vitamin B12 supplements, are encouraged for
individuals older than age 50 years. A substantial
proportion of these individuals may have reduced
ability to absorb naturally occurring vitamin B12,
but their ability to absorb the crystalline form is
not affected. In addition, vegans should ensure
adequate intake of vitamin B12 through fortified
foods or supplements.
• iron supplements for pregnant women. Iron supplementation during pregnancy is routinely recommended for all pregnant women to help meet their
iron requirements. Obstetricians often monitor the
need for iron supplementation during pregnancy

75. Fortified soy beverages have been marketed as “soymilk,” a product name consumers could see in supermarkets and consumer materials. However,
FDA’s regulations do not contain provisions for the use of the term soymilk. Therefore, in this document, the term “fortified soy beverage” includes products
that may be marketed as soymilk.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

and provide individualized recommendations to
pregnant women.
Sufficient evidence is not available to support a recommendation for or against the use of multivitamin/
mineral supplements in the primary prevention of
chronic disease for the healthy American population. Supplements containing combinations of
certain nutrients may be beneficial in reducing the
risks of some chronic diseases when used by special populations. For example, calcium and vitamin
D supplements may be useful in postmenopausal
women who have low levels of these nutrients in
their diets, to reduce their risk of osteoporosis. In
contrast, high levels of certain nutrient supplements may be harmful, if a nutrient’s Tolerable
Upper Intake Level is exceeded. Supplement use
may be discussed with a health care provider to
establish need and correct dosage.

Putting the PrinciPles for
a healthy eating Pattern
into action
The principles of a healthy eating pattern can be
applied by following one of several templates for
healthy eating. The USDA Food Patterns, their lactoovo vegetarian or vegan adaptations, and the DASH
Eating Plan are illustrations of varied approaches to
healthy eating patterns. The USDA Food Patterns
and their vegetarian variations were developed
to help individuals carry out Dietary Guidelines
recommendations. The DASH Eating Plan, based on
the DASH research studies, was developed to help
individuals prevent high blood pressure and other
risk factors for heart disease.
Compared with average consumption in the United
States, these patterns feature increased amounts
of vegetables, fruits, beans and peas, whole grains,
fat-free and low-fat milk and milk products, and
oils, and decreased amounts of solid fats, added
sugars, and sodium. They also all feature less red
and processed meat and more seafood76 than typical American diets. Table 5-1 shows the amounts
consumed from each food group and subgroup in
typical American diets, in comparison to amounts
in two healthy, traditional Mediterranean-style
eating patterns (from Greece and Spain) and the
DASH diet used in research studies, all adjusted to a

2,000 calorie intake level, and to the 2,000 calorie
USDA Food Pattern. Although the Mediterranean
patterns do not specify amounts of whole grains,
intake of minimally refined cereal grains is typical
for many of these patterns. Amounts of milk and
milk products vary in the Mediterranean patterns,
but both DASH and USDA patterns contain substantially more milk and milk products than are
currently consumed in the United States and focus
on fat-free and low-fat versions.
usda food Patterns
The USDA Food Patterns identify daily amounts of
foods, in nutrient-dense forms, to eat from five major
food groups and their subgroups (Table 5-2 and
Appendices 7, 8, and 9). The patterns also include
an allowance for oils and limits on the maximum
number of calories that should be consumed from
solid fats and added sugars. The food patterns were
developed to meet nutrient needs, as identified
by the Dietary Reference Intakes and the Dietary
Guidelines (Appendix 5), while not exceeding calorie
requirements. Though they have not been specifically tested for health benefits, they are similar to
the DASH research diet and consistent with most of
the measures of adherence to Mediterranean-type
eating patterns.
Recommended amounts and limits in the USDA
Food Patterns at 12 calorie levels, ranging from 1,000
calories to 3,200 calories, are shown in Appendix
7. Patterns at 1,000, 1,200, and 1,400 calorie levels
meet the nutritional needs of children ages 2 to 8
years. Patterns at 1,600 calories and above meet
needs for adults and children ages 9 years and older.
Individuals should follow a pattern that meets their
estimated calorie needs (Appendix 6).
The USDA Food Patterns emphasize selection of
most foods in nutrient-dense forms—that is, with
little or no solid fats and added sugars. A maximum
limit for calories from solid fats and added sugars in
each pattern allows for some foods that have a higher
level of solid fat, or a small amount of added solid
fat or added sugars. Figure 5-2 provides examples
of both nutrient-dense and of more typical choices
in each food group, and the resulting difference in
calorie content. If choices that are not nutrient dense
are routinely eaten, total calories will be overconsumed due to increased calories from solid fats and
added sugars. If all food and beverage choices were

76. Vegetarian patterns do not include any meat or seafood.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

taBle 5-1. eating Pattern comparison: usual u.s. intake, Mediterranean,
dash, and usda food Patterns, average daily intake at or adjusted to a
2,000 calorie level
Pattern

usual u.s. intake
adultsa

Mediterranean Patternsb
greece (g)
spain (s)

dashb

usda
food Pattern

1.6

1.2 (S) – 4.1 (G)

2.1

2.5
0.2

food groups
vegetables: total (c)
Dark-green (c)

0.1

Beans and peas (c)

0.1

<0.1 (G) – 0.4 (S)

See protein foods

0.2

Red and orange (c)

0.4

0.8

Other (c)

0.5

0.6

Starchy (c)

0.5

nd – 0.6 (G)

0.7

fruit and juices (c)

1.0

1.4 (S) – 2.5 (G)
(including nuts)

2.5

2.0

grains: total (oz)

6.4

2.0 (S) – 5.4 (G)

7.3

6.0

0.6

3.9

>
—3.0

1.5

1.0 (G) – 2.1 (S)

2.6

3.0

Meat (oz)

2.5

3.5 (G) – 3.6 (S)
(including poultry)

1.4

1.8

Poultry (oz)

1.2

1.7

1.5

Eggs (oz)

0.4

nd – 1.9 (S)

0.4

Whole grains (oz)
Milk and milk products
(dairy products) (c)

Protein foods:

0.5

0.8 (G) – 2.4 (S)

1.4

1.2

Beans and peas (oz)

Fish/seafood (oz)

See vegetables

0.4 (0.1 c)

See vegetables

Nuts, seeds, and soy
products (oz)

0.5

See fruits

0.9

0.6

oils (g)

19 (S) – 40 (G)

solid fats (g)

16d

added sugars (g)

nd – 24 (G)

32d

alcohol (g)

9.9

7.1 (S) – 7.9 (G)

nde

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. What We Eat In America, NHANES 2001-2004, 1 day mean intakes for adult males and females, adjusted to 2,000 calories and averaged.
b
See the DGAC report for additional information and references at www.dietaryguidelines.gov.
c
nd = Not determined.
d
Amounts of solid fats and added sugars are examples only of how calories from solid fats and added sugars in the USDA Food Patterns could be divided.
e
In the USDA Food Patterns, some of the calories assigned to limits for solid fats and added sugars may be used for alcohol consumption instead.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

taBle 5-2. usda food Patterns—food groups and subgroups
food group

subgroups and examples

vegetables

dark-green vegetables: All fresh, frozen, and canned dark-green leafy vegetables and broccoli,
cooked or raw: for example, broccoli; spinach; romaine; collard, turnip, and mustard greens.
red and orange vegetables: All fresh, frozen, and canned red and orange vegetables, cooked or
raw: for example, tomatoes, red peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and pumpkin.
Beans and peas: All cooked and canned beans and peas: for example, kidney beans, lentils,
chickpeas, and pinto beans. Does not include green beans or green peas. (See additional comment under protein foods group.)
starchy vegetables: All fresh, frozen, and canned starchy vegetables: for example, white potatoes,
corn, and green peas.
other vegetables: All fresh, frozen, and canned other vegetables, cooked or raw: for example,
iceberg lettuce, green beans, and onions.

fruits

All fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and fruit juices: for example, oranges and orange juice,
apples and apple juice, bananas, grapes, melons, berries, and raisins.

grains

whole grains: All whole-grain products and whole grains used as ingredients: for example,
whole-wheat bread, whole-grain cereals and crackers, oatmeal, and brown rice.
enriched grains: All enriched refined-grain products and enriched refined grains used as ingredients:
for example, white breads, enriched grain cereals and crackers, enriched pasta, and white rice.

dairy products

All milks, including lactose-free and lactose-reduced products and fortified soy beverages; yogurts;
frozen yogurts; dairy desserts; and cheeses. Most choices should be fat-free or low-fat. Cream,
sour cream, and cream cheese are not included due to their low calcium content.

Protein foods

All meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, and processed soy products. Meat and poultry
should be lean or low-fat. Beans and peas are considered part of this group, as well as the
vegetable group, but should be counted in one group only.

in forms typically consumed rather than nutrientdense forms, intake from the food groups and oils in
the 2,000-calorie pattern would actually be about
2,400 calories, or 400 calories above the target
calorie level.
The USDA Food Patterns recommend selecting a
variety of foods within each food group. This allows
for personal choice, and helps to ensure that the
foods and beverages selected by individuals over
time provide a mix of nutrients that will meet their
needs. Recommended weekly intake amounts are
specified for the five vegetable subgroups (darkgreen, red and orange, beans and peas, starchy,
and other vegetables). In the protein foods group,
8 or more ounces per week of seafood is recommended (less in patterns for young children), and in
the grain group, selecting at least half of all grains
as whole grains is recommended. In the fruit and

dairy groups, there are
no quantitative recomfor More inforMation
See chapter 4 and
mendations for makappendix 7 for more
ing selections within
information about specific
the group. However,
food choices within food
selecting more fruit
groups and subgroups.
rather than juice, and
more fat-free or low-fat
vitamin D-fortified milk
or yogurt than cheese is encouraged.
vegetarian adaptations of the usda food Patterns
The USDA Food Patterns allow for additional
flexibility in choices through their adaptations for
vegetarians—a vegan pattern that contains only
plant foods and a lacto-ovo vegetarian pattern that
includes milk and milk products and eggs. The adaptations include changes in the protein foods group
and, in the vegan adaptation, in the dairy group.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

The changes made in the protein foods group at the
2,000 calorie level are shown in Table 5-3. The vegan
dairy group includes calcium-fortified beverages and
foods commonly used as substitutes for milk and
milk products. Complete patterns at all calorie levels
are shown in Appendices 8 and 9. These vegetarian
variations represent healthy eating patterns, but rely
on fortified foods for some nutrients. In the vegan
patterns especially, fortified foods provide much
of the calcium and vitamin B12, and either fortified
foods or supplements should be selected to provide
adequate intake of these nutrients.
dash eating Plan
The DASH Eating Plan was developed based on
findings from the DASH research studies. It limits
saturated fatty acids and cholesterol and focuses on
increasing intake of foods rich in potassium, calcium,
magnesium, protein, and fiber. The DASH Eating
Plan also is very consistent with Dietary Guidelines
recommendations and with most measures of adherence to Mediterranean-type eating patterns. It is rich
in fruits, vegetables, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk
products, whole grains, fish, poultry, seeds, and nuts.
It contains less sodium, sweets, added sugars, and

sugar-containing beverages, fats, and red meats than
the typical American diet. The DASH Eating Plan
food groups77 and amounts recommended at seven
calorie levels are shown in Appendix 10. Sample
menus for the DASH Eating Plan at the 2,000 calorie
level78 provide either 2,300 mg or 1,500 mg of
sodium and include nutrient-rich foods to meet other
nutrient recommendations.

chaPter suMMary
This chapter integrates the individual recommendations from each previous chapter of the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, 2010 into healthy eating
patterns. Research on overall eating patterns, such as
Mediterranean and DASH patterns, has documented
the health benefits of following an eating pattern
that applies most of these recommendations. The
evidence shows that following such an eating pattern
can meet a person’s nutrient needs within their
calorie needs and provide substantial health benefits.
The USDA Food Patterns and the DASH Eating Plan
apply these Dietary Guidelines recommendations
and provide flexible templates for making healthy

taBle 5-3. average daily amounts in the Protein foods group in the usda food Pattern
at the 2,000 calorie level and its vegetarian adaptations
food category

usda food Pattern

lacto-ovo adaptation

vegan adaptation

Meats (e.g., beef, pork, lamb)

1.8 oz-eqa

0 oz-eq

Poultry (e.g., chicken, turkey)

1.5 oz-eq

0 oz-eq

Seafood

1.2 oz-eq

0 oz-eq

Eggs

0.4 oz-eq

0.6 oz-eq

0 oz-eq

N/A

1.4 oz-eq

1.9 oz-eq

<0.1 oz-eq

1.6 oz-eq

1.4 oz-eq

Nuts and seedsc

0.5 oz-eq

1.9 oz-eq

2.2 oz-eq

total per day

5.5 oz-eq

Beans and peasb
Processed soy products

Amounts shown in ounce-equivalents (oz-eq) per day. These are average recommended amounts to consume over time.
Beans and peas are included in the USDA Food Patterns as a vegetable subgroup rather than in the protein foods group. Amounts shown here in the
vegetarian patterns are additional beans and peas, in ounce-equivalents. One ounce-equivalent of beans and peas is 1/4 cup, cooked. These amounts do
not include about 1 1/2 cups per week of beans and peas recommended as a vegetable in all of the 2,000 calorie patterns.
c
Each ounce-equivalent of nuts is 1/2 ounce of nuts, so on a weekly basis, the 2,000 calorie patterns contain from 2 ounces to 8 ounces of total nuts.
a

77. Food groups in the DASH Eating Plan are Grains; Vegetables; Fruits; Fat-free or Low-fat Milk and Milk Products; Lean Meats, Poultry, and Fish; and Nuts,
Seeds, and Legumes.
78. Sample menus and additional information on the DASH Eating Plan are available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

choices within and among various food groups. They
include recommended amounts from all food groups,
targets for total calorie intake and limits on calories
from solid fats and added sugars. Individuals can use
or adapt these healthy eating patterns to suit their
personal and cultural preferences.
An overall healthy eating pattern also needs to
account for all foods and beverages consumed,
whether at home or away from home. Beverages are
currently a major source of calories, and many do not
provide essential nutrients. Therefore, water or other

calorie-free beverages, along with fat-free or low-fat
milk and 100% fruit juice, are recommended to meet
total water needs.
Because a healthy eating pattern provides for most
or all nutrient needs, dietary supplements are recommended only for specific population subgroups or in
specific situations. A healthy eating pattern needs
to not only promote health and help to decrease the
risk of chronic diseases, but it also should prevent
foodborne illness, so food safety recommendations
need to be followed.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Five

Chapter 6

Helping Americans
Make Healthy Choices

Individuals and families make choices every day
about what they will eat and drink and how physically active they will be. Today, Americans must
make these choices within the context of an environment that promotes overconsumption of calories and
discourages physical activity. This environment and
the individual choices made within it have contributed to dramatic increases in the rates of overweight
and obesity. Poor health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types
of cancer also have increased in tandem. To reverse
these trends, a coordinated system-wide approach
is needed—an approach that engages all sectors of
society, including individuals and families, educators,
communities and organizations, health professionals, small and large businesses, and policymakers.
Everyone has a role in the movement to make America
healthy. By working together through policies, programs, and partnerships, we can improve the health
of the current generation and take responsibility for
giving future generations a better chance to lead
healthy and productive lives.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Six

One way to think about how our current food and
physical activity environment evolved, and about
how it can be improved, is the Social-Ecological
Model. Many public health experts agree that the
Social-Ecological Model (Figure 6-1) provides a
framework to illustrate how all elements of society
combine to shape an individual’s food and physical
activity choices, and ultimately one’s calorie balance
and chronic disease risk. The following describes
some of the factors and influencers found within
each element of the model:
• individual factors. Factors such as age, gender,
income, race/ethnicity, genetics, and the presence of a disability can all influence an individual’s
and/or family’s food intake and physical activity
patterns. In order to change one’s knowledge,
attitude, beliefs, and behaviors, these individual
factors should be considered and addressed
(as possible).
• environmental settings. People regularly make
decisions about food and physical activity in a

variety of community settings such as schools,
workplaces, faith-based organizations, recreational facilities, and foodservice and food retail
establishments. These settings play an integral
role in affecting individuals’ and families’ food and
physical activity choices through their organizational environments and policies, and by providing
health information to consumers.
• sectors of influence. Communities are influenced
by a variety of sectors such as government,
public health and health care systems, agriculture,
industry, and media. Many of these sectors are
important in determining the degree to which all
individuals and families have access to healthy food
and opportunities to be physically active in their
own communities. Others have a strong influence
on social norms and values.
• social and cultural norms and values. Social
norms are guidelines that govern our thoughts,
beliefs, and behaviors. These shared assumptions

of appropriate behavior are based on the values of
a society and are reflected in everything from laws
to personal expectations. With regard to nutrition
and physical activity, cultural norms could include
types of foods and beverages consumed, when and
how foods and beverages are consumed, acceptable ranges of body weight, and how much physical
activity is incorporated into one’s free time. Making
healthy choices can be more difficult if those healthy
choices are not strongly valued within a society.
The Social-Ecological Model can help us understand
the roles that various segments of society can play
in making healthy choices more widely accessible
and desirable. The model considers the interactions
between individuals and families, environmental
settings and various sectors of influence, as well as
the impact of social and cultural norms and values.
Thus, it can be used to develop, implement, and
evaluate comprehensive interventions at all levels. By
facilitating the use of multiple, coordinated primary

figure 6-1: a social-ecological framework for nutrition and Physical activity decisions

Homes
Schools
Workplaces
Recreational Facilities
Foodservice and Retail
Establishments
Other Community Settings

Demographic Factors
(e.g., age, gender, socioeconomic
status, race/ethnicity, disablity
status)
Psychosocial Factors
Knowledge and Skills
GeneEnvironment Interactions
Other Personal Factors

Belief Systems
Heritage
Religion
Priorities
Lifestyle
Body Image

Social and Cultural
Norms and Values
Sectors of
Influence

Government
Public Health and
Health Care Systems
Agriculture
Marketing/Media
Community Design and Safety
Foundations and Funders
Industry
Food
Beverage
Physical Activity
Entertainment

_
_
_
_

Environmental
Settings

Individual
Factors
Food and
Beverage Intake

Physical
Activity

Source: Adapted from: (1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. State Nutrition, Physical
Activity and Obesity (NPAO) Program: Technical Assistance Manual. January 2008, page 36. Accessed April 21, 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/
downloads/TA_Manual_1_31_08.pdf. (2) Institute of Medicine. Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, Washington (DC): The National
Academies Press; 2005, page 85. (3) Story M, Kaphingst KM, Robinson-O’Brien R, Glanz K. Creating healthy food and eating environments: Policy and
environmental approaches. Annu Rev Public Health 2008;29:253-272.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Six

prevention strategies, the framework promotes
movement toward a society oriented to chronic
disease prevention. Efforts to improve dietary intake
and increase physical activity are more likely to
be successful when using this type of coordinated
system-wide approach.

a call to action
Ultimately, Americans make their own food and
physical activity choices at the individual (and family) level. In order for Americans to make healthy
choices, however, they need to have opportunities to
purchase and consume healthy foods and engage
in physical activity. Although individual behavior
change is critical, a truly effective and sustainable
improvement in the Nation’s health will require
a multi-sector approach that applies the SocialEcological Model to improve the food and physical
activity environment. This type of approach emphasizes the development of coordinated partnerships,
programs, and policies to support healthy eating and
active living. Interventions should extend well beyond
providing traditional education to individuals and
families about healthy choices, and should help build
skills, reshape the environment, and re-establish social
norms to facilitate individuals’ healthy choices.
Previous chapters include strategies that individuals and families can adopt to achieve dietary intake
recommendations. The strategies outlined in this
chapter represent actions that can be implemented
by various sectors of influence (e.g., educators,
communities and organizations, health professionals, small and large businesses, and policymakers)
to support individuals and families. Actions are best
sustained when developed, implemented, and evaluated by supporters across multiple levels of influence.
Positive changes to the current and future health of
America will require broad, cooperative, and sustainable efforts by all.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines’ Call to Action includes
three guiding principles:
1. Ensure that all Americans have access to nutritious foods and opportunities for physical activity.
2. Facilitate individual behavior change through
environmental strategies.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Six

3. Set the stage for lifelong healthy eating, physical
activity, and weight management behaviors.
An overview of each of these principles follows,
along with sample action steps for each. Individual
communities and organizations, and those with
expertise in assessing community and public health
needs, should determine the most relevant and
essential action steps needed for their particular
community, organization, or population.
ensure that all americans have access to nutritious
foods and opportunities for physical activity
Disparities in health among racial and ethnic
minorities, individuals with disabilities, and different
socioeconomic groups are of substantial concern.
Research has demonstrated that some Americans
lack access to affordable nutritious foods and/or
opportunities for safe physical activity in their neighborhoods. This lack of access makes it a challenge
for many Americans to consume a diet consistent
with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and
maintain physical activity levels consistent with the
2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Thus,
access may be related to overall disparities in health.
In order for individuals and families to be able to
make healthy lifestyle choices, they first need to be
aware of and have access to those healthy choices.
Access includes not only availability of these choices,
but also affordability and safety. Acceptability of the
choices is also important. The following strategies
can be used to help ensure that all Americans have
access to nutritious foods and opportunities for
physical activity:
• Create local-, State-, and national-level strategic
plans to achieve Dietary Guidelines and Physical
Activity Guidelines recommendations among
individuals, families, and communities.
• Recognize health disparities among subpopulations
and ensure equitable access to safe and affordable
healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity for all people.
• Expand access to grocery stores, farmers markets,
and other outlets for healthy foods.
• Develop and expand safe, effective, and sustainable
agriculture and aquaculture practices to ensure
availability of recommended amounts of healthy
foods to all segments of the population.

• Increase food security among at-risk populations
by promoting nutrition assistance programs.
• Facilitate attainment of the nutrition, food safety,
and physical activity objectives outlined in Healthy
People 2020.
facilitate individual behavior change through
environmental strategies
In addition to limited access, as just noted, many
people lack the information or motivation needed to
achieve and maintain healthy nutrition and physical
activity behaviors. Although more consumer education is needed on achieving calorie balance, meeting nutrient needs, and staying physically active,
information alone does not lead to behavior change.
People need to value the outcomes associated with
the change and need to believe that the changes can
fit into their lifestyles. An environment that supports
and facilitates healthy behavior changes, with cultural sensitivity, should be in place for this to occur.
The following strategies can be used to address
these issues and support individual behavior change:
• Empower individuals and families with improved
nutrition literacy, gardening, and cooking skills to
heighten enjoyment of preparing and consuming
healthy foods.
• Initiate partnerships with food producers, suppliers, and retailers to promote the development
and availability of appropriate portions of affordable, nutritious food products (including, but
not limited to, those lower in sodium, solid fats,
and added sugars) in food retail and foodservice
establishments.
• Develop legislation, policies, and systems in key sectors such as public health, health care, retail, school
foodservice, recreation/fitness, transportation, and
nonprofit/volunteer to prevent and reduce obesity.
• Support future research that will further examine
the individual, community, and system factors that
contribute to the adoption of healthy eating and
physical activity behaviors; identify best practices
and facilitate adoption of those practices.
• Implement the U.S. National Physical Activity Plan
to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary
behavior.

set the stage for lifelong healthy eating, physical
activity, and weight management behaviors
Primary prevention of obesity and related risk factors
is the single most powerful public health approach
to reversing America’s obesity epidemic over the
long term. Lifelong habits are developed throughout childhood, and every opportunity should be
provided to build healthy habits at the earliest
stages of life. This process begins in utero. The
development of standardized approaches to promote healthy pre-pregnancy weight, appropriate
weight gain during pregnancy, the initiation and
maintenance of breastfeeding during infancy, and
a return to healthy weight status postpartum can
help prevent overweight and obesity throughout
the life span.
Parents and caregivers serve as important role
models for children and are responsible for providing them with nutritious foods and opportunities for
physical activity. Outside influencers (e.g., policymakers, educators, health professionals) should
build upon existing systems and infrastructures to
support parents, caregivers, schools, and communities in facilitating positive eating and physical activity
choices throughout life. The following strategies can
be used to help create and promote healthy lifestyles
for children:
• Ensure that all meals and snacks sold and served in
schools and childcare and early childhood settings
are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines.
• Provide comprehensive health, nutrition, and physical education programs in educational settings, and
place special emphasis on food preparation skills,
food safety, and lifelong physical activity.
• Identify approaches for assessing and tracking
children’s body mass index (or other valid measures) for use by health professionals to identify
overweight and obesity and implement appropriate
interventions.
• Encourage physical activity in schools, childcare,
and early childhood settings through physical
education programs, recess, and support for
active transportation initiatives (e.g., walk-toschool programs).

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Six

• Reduce children’s screen (television and computer)
time.
• Develop and support effective policies to limit food
and beverage marketing to children.
• Support children’s programs that promote healthy
nutrition and physical activity throughout the year,
including summer.

chaPter suMMary
The ultimate goal of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
is to improve the health of our Nation’s current and
future generations by facilitating and promoting healthy
eating and physical activity choices so that these
behaviors become the norm among all individuals.
Meeting this goal will require comprehensive and coordinated system-wide approaches across our Nation—
approaches that engage every level of society and
reshape the environment so that the healthy choices
are the easy, accessible, and desirable choices for all.

resource list
The following Federal Government resourcesa provide reliable, science-based information on nutrition and
physical activity, as well as an evolving array of tools to facilitate Americans’ adoption of healthy choices.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans

http://www.dietaryguidelines.gov

MyPyramid.gov

http://www.mypyramid.gov

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

http://www.health.gov/paguidelines

Nutrition.gov

http://www.nutrition.gov

healthfinder.gov

http://www.healthfinder.gov

Health.gov

http://health.gov

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov

Food and Nutrition Service

http://www.fns.usda.gov

Food and Nutrition Information Center

http://fnic.nal.usda.gov

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

http://www.nifa.usda.gov

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov

Food and Drug Administration

http://www.fda.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov

National Institutes of Health

http://www.nih.gov

Let’s Move!

http://www.letsmove.gov

Healthy People

http://www.healthypeople.gov

U.S. National Physical Activity Plan

http://www.physicalactivityplan.org

a. Note: The U.S. National Physical Activity Plan is not a product of the Federal Government. However, a number of Federal offices were involved in the
development of the Plan.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 | Chapter Six

Appendices
�
appendix 1

Guidance for Specific Population Groups

appendix 2

Key Consumer Behaviors and Potential Strategies for Professionals
to Use in Implementing the 2010 Dietary Guidelines

appendix 3 � Food Safety Principles and Guidance for Consumers
appendix 4 � Using the Food Label to Track Calories, Nutrients, and Ingredients
appendix 5 � Nutritional Goals for Age-Gender Groups, Based on
Dietary Reference Intakes and Dietary Guidelines Recommendations
appendix 6 Estimated Calorie Needs per Day by Age, Gender, and
Physical Activity Level (Detailed)
appendix 7 � USDA Food Patterns
appendix 8 � Lacto-ovo Vegetarian Adaptation of the USDA Food Patterns
appendix 9 � Vegan Adaptation of the USDA Food Patterns
appendix 10 The DASH Eating Plan at Various Calorie Levels
appendix 11 � Estimated EPA and DHA and Mercury Content in 4 Ounces
of Selected Seafood Varieties
appendix 12 �Selected Food Sources Ranked by Amounts of Potassium
and Calories per Standard Food Portion
appendix 13 � Selected Food Sources Ranked by Amounts of Dietary
Fiber and Calories per Standard Food Portion
appendix 14 �Selected Food Sources Ranked by Amounts of Calcium
and Calories per Standard Food Portion
appendix 15 �Selected Food Sources Ranked by Amounts of Vitamin D
and Calories per Standard Food Portion
appendix 16 Glossary of Terms

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 1. GUIDANCE FOR SPECIFIC POPULATION GROUPS

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 is intended
for Americans ages 2 years and older, including those
who are at increased risk of chronic disease. Topic areas

that provide additional guidance for specific population
groups are listed below along with the chapter and page
number where the information can be found.

topic area

chapter

Page no.

children and adolescents
Healthy body weight

2 and 6

9, 10, 58

Physical activity

2 and 6

17, 18, 58, 59

Limits on screen time

2 and 6

19, 59

Breakfast

Sugar-sweetened beverages

2 and 5

16, 47–48

100% juice

2, 4, and 5

16, 36, 47

Alcohol consumption

21, 31

Iron intake (adolescent girls)

34, 41

women capable of Becoming Pregnanta
Healthy body weight

9, 10

Iron intake

34, 41

Folic acid intake

4 and 5

34, 41–42, 49

women who are Pregnanta
Gestational weight gain

2 and 6

9, 10, 58

Alcohol consumption

Seafood consumption

34, 39

Iron supplementation

4 and 5

34, 41, 49

women who are Breastfeeding
Alcohol consumption

Seafood consumption

34, 39

Healthy body weight

9, 10, 18

Sodium intake

21, 22, 23, 24

Vitamin B12

4 and 5

34, 42, 49

Healthy body weight (overweight and obese adults)

16, 17, 18, 19

Saturated fat and cholesterol intake (adults at risk of cardiovascular disease)

24, 27

Sodium intake (adults with hypertension and African Americans)

21, 24

older adults

adults at high risk of chronic disease

Alcohol consumption (adults taking certain medications; adults with certain medical
conditions)

Potassium intake (adults with hypertension and African Americans)

a. Includes adolescent girls.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 2. KEY CONSUMER BEHAVIORS AND POTENTIAL STRATEGIES FOR
PROFESSIONALS TO USE IN IMPLEMENTING THE 2010 DIETARY GUIDELINES

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 includes
recommendations based on the most recent
evidence-based review of nutrition science. Two
overarching concepts emerge from these recommendations: maintain calorie balance to achieve
and sustain a healthy weight; and focus on nutrientdense foods and beverages. Brief descriptions of
these concepts are provided to the right.
Health professionals, educators, policymakers, and
other professionals will use the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, 2010 to help the American public lead
healthy lives. This section, which includes a table of
key consumer behaviors and potential strategies, or
“how-tos,” is designed to assist these professionals as they encourage healthy habits. For practical
purposes, this table is organized by 12 specific topic
areas (calorie intake, physical activity, vegetables,
fruits, milk and milk products, protein foods, grains,
oils and fats, added sugars, sodium, alcohol, and
food safety).
the strategies presented in the table are not
evidence-based recommendations. they are presented as helpful hints that could be tailored
for different individuals or groups.
When working with consumers, professionals
should draw from research and use theory-based
approaches when possible. Ultimately, successful
consumer messages will vary based on the target
audience and should be tested with the specific
target audience before use. Therefore, the potential strategies in the following table are intended to
be a conceptual starting point for further message
development and not a definitive or comprehensive resource.

overarching concePts
Maintain calorie balance to achieve and
sustain a healthy weight
Control total calorie intake to manage body
weight. For most people, this will mean
consuming fewer calories by making informed
food and beverage choices. Increase physical
activity and reduce time spent in sedentary
behaviors.
focus on nutrient-dense foods and beverages
Increase intake of foods that are consumed
below recommended amounts. For most
people, this means choosing more vegetables,
fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk
and milk products, seafood, and oils.
Reduce intake of foods and food components
consumed in excessive amounts. For most
people, this means consuming fewer foods
and beverages high in solid fats (sources of
saturated and trans fatty acids), added sugars,
and sodium (i.e., consume these foods and
beverages less often and in small amounts).
If alcohol is consumed at all, it should be
consumed in moderation and only by adults of
legal drinking age.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

taBle a2-1. key consumer Behaviors and Potential strategies for Professionals
the strategies presented in this table are not evidence-based recommendations. they are presented as helpful
hints that could be tailored for different individuals or groups.
topic area

key consumer
Behaviors

Potential strategies

calorie
intake

Consume foods and
drinks to meet, not
exceed, calorie needs.

Know your calorie needs. See Table 2-3 and Appendix 6 for estimates.

Plan ahead to make
better food choices.

Weigh yourself and adjust what and how much you eat and/or your physical
activity based on your weight change over time.
Prepare and pack healthy meals at home for children and/or adults to eat at
school or work.
Have healthy snacks available at home and bring nutrient-dense snacks to
eat when on-the-go.
Think ahead before attending parties: Eat a small, healthy snack before heading
out. Plan to take small portions and focus on healthy options. Consider
whether you are hungry before going back for more. Choose a place to talk
with friends that is some distance from the food table.

Track food and calorie
intake.

Track what you eat using a food journal or an online food planner (e.g.,
http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov).
Check the calories and servings per package on the Nutrition Facts label.
For foods and drinks that do not have a label or posted calorie counts, try an
online calorie counter.
Pay attention to feelings of hunger. Eat only until you are satisfied, not full.
If you tend to overeat, be aware of time of day, place, and your mood while
eating so you can better control the amount you eat.
Limit eating while watching television, which can result in overeating.
If you choose to eat while watching television, portion out a small serving.

Limit calorie intake from Choose foods prepared with little or no added sugars or solid fats.
solid fats and added
Identify the amount of calories from added sugars and solid fats contained in
sugars.
foods and drinks at http://www.myfoodapedia.gov.
Choose products with less added sugars and solid fats. Select products that
contain added sugars and solid fats less often.
When you have foods and drinks with added sugars and solid fats, choose a
small portion.
Reduce portions,
especially of highcalorie foods.

Use smaller plates.

Cook and eat more
meals at home,
instead of eating out.

Cook and eat at home more often, preferably as a family.

Portion out small amounts of food.
To feel satisfied with fewer calories, replace large portions of high-calorie
foods with lower calorie foods, like vegetables and fruits.
When preparing meals, include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or
low-fat dairy products, and protein foods that provide fewer calories and
more nutrients.
Experiment with healthy recipes and ingredient substitutions.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

taBle a2-1. key consumer Behaviors and Potential strategies for Professionals
(Continued)
topic area

key consumer
Behaviors

Potential strategies

calorie
intake
(Continued)

Think about choosing
healthy options when
eating out.

When eating out, choose a smaller size option (e.g., appetizer, small plate).
Manage larger portions by sharing or taking home part of your meal.
Check posted calorie counts or check calorie counts online before you eat at
a restaurant.
When eating out, choose dishes that include vegetables, fruits, and/or whole
grains.
When eating out, avoid choosing foods with the following words: creamy,
fried, breaded, battered, or buttered. In addition, keep portions of syrups,
dressings, and sauces small.

Physical
activity

Limit screen time.

Limit the amount of time you spend watching television or using other media
such as video games. This is especially important for children and adolescents.
Use the time you watch television to be physically active in front of the
television.

Increase physical
activity.

Pick activities you like and that fit into your life. For children, activity should
be fun and developmentally appropriate.
Be active with family and friends. Having a support network can help you
stay active.
Keep track of your physical activity and gradually increase it to meet the
recommendations of the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Physical activity can be tracked at http://www.presidentschallenge.org or by
using logs like the one found at http://www.health.gov/paguidelines.

Choose moderate- or
vigorous-intensity
physical activities.

Choose moderate-intensity activities, which include walking briskly, biking,
dancing, general gardening, water aerobics, and canoeing.
You can replace some or all of your moderate-intensity activity with vigorous
activity. With vigorous activities, you get similar health benefits in half the
time it takes you with moderate ones. Vigorous activities include aerobic
dance, jumping rope, race walking, jogging, running, soccer, swimming fast
or swimming laps, and riding a bike on hills or riding fast.
Adults should include muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week.
Muscle-strengthening activities include lifting weights, push-ups, and situps. Choose activities that work all the different parts of the body—the legs,
hips, back, chest, stomach, shoulders, and arms.
Encourage children to do muscle-strengthening activities such as climbing at
least 3 days a week and bone-strengthening activities, such as jumping, at least
3 days a week.

Avoid inactivity. Some
physical activity is
better than none.

Start with 10-minute chunks of physical activity a couple of days a week.
Every bit counts, and doing something is better than doing nothing.

Slowly build up the
amount of physical
activity you choose.

Start by being active for longer each time; then do more by being active
more often.

Walking is one way to add physical activity to your life. Build up to walking
longer and more often. Pick up the pace as you go.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

taBle a2-1. key consumer Behaviors and Potential strategies for Professionals
(Continued)
topic area

key consumer
Behaviors

Potential strategies

vegetaBles

Increase vegetable
intake.

Include vegetables in meals and in snacks. Fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables
all count. When eating canned vegetables, choose those labeled as reduced
sodium or no salt-added.

Eat recommended
amounts of
vegetables, and
include a variety
of vegetables,
especially darkgreen vegetables,
red and orange
vegetables, and
beans and peas.

Add dark-green, red, and orange vegetables to soups, stews, casseroles, stirfries, and other main and side dishes. Use dark leafy greens, such as romaine
lettuce and spinach, to make salads.
Focus on dietary fiber—beans and peas are a great source. Add beans or peas to
salads (e.g., kidney or garbanzo beans), soups (e.g., split peas or lentils), and
side dishes (e.g., baked beans or pinto beans), or serve as a main dish.
Keep raw, cut-up vegetables handy for quick snacks. If serving with a dip,
choose lower calorie options, such as yogurt-based dressings or hummus,
instead of sour cream or cream cheese-based dips.
When eating out, choose a vegetable as a side dish. With cooked vegetables,
request that they be prepared with little or no fat and salt. With salads, ask for
the dressing on the side so you can decide how much you use.
When adding sauces, condiments, or dressings to vegetables, use small amounts
and look for lower calorie options (e.g., reduced-fat cheese sauce or fat-free
dressing). Sauces can make vegetables more appealing, but often add extra calories.

fruits

Increase fruit intake. Use fruit as snacks, salads, or desserts.
Eat recommended
amounts of fruits
and choose a variety
of fruits. Choose
whole or cut-up
fruits more often
than fruit juice.

Instead of sugars, syrups, or other sweet toppings, use fruit to top foods such as
cereal and pancakes.
Enjoy a wide variety of fruits, and maximize taste and freshness by adapting
your choices to what is in season.
Keep rinsed and cut-up fruit handy for quick snacks.
Use canned, frozen, and dried fruits, as well as fresh fruits. Unsweetened fruit
or fruit canned in 100% juice is the better choice because light or heavy syrup
adds sugar and calories.
Select 100% fruit juice when choosing juices.

Milk and
Milk
Products
(DAIRY
PRODUCTS)

Increase intake of
fat-free or lowfat milk and milk
products, such as
milk, yogurt, cheese,
and fortified soy
beverages.a
Replace higher
fat milk and milk
products with lower
fat options.

Drink fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. If you currently drink whole milk,
gradually switch to lower fat versions. This change will cut calories, but will not
reduce calcium or other essential nutrients.
When drinking beverages, such as cappuccino or latte, request fat-free or
low-fat milk.
Use fat-free or low-fat milk on cereal and oatmeal. Top fruit salads with fat-free
or low-fat yogurt.
When recipes such as dip call for sour cream, substitute plain fat-free or
low-fat yogurt.
When selecting cheese, choose low-fat or reduced-fat versions.
If you are lactose intolerant, try lactose-free milk, drink smaller amounts of milk
at a time, or try fortified soy beverages.
Choose fat-free or low-fat milk or yogurt more often than cheese. Milk and yogurt
are better sources of potassium and are lower in sodium than most cheeses.
Also, most milk is fortified with vitamin D.

a. Fortified soy beverages have been marketed as “soymilk,” a product name consumers could see in supermarkets and consumer materials. However,
FDA’s regulations do not contain provisions for the use of the term soymilk. Therefore, in this document, the term “fortified soy beverage” includes
products that may be marketed as soymilk.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

taBle a2-1. key consumer Behaviors and Potential strategies for Professionals
(Continued)
topic area

key consumer
Behaviors

Potential strategies

Protein
foods

Choose a variety of
foods from the protein
foods group.

Eat a variety of foods from the protein foods group each week. This
group includes seafood, beans and peas, and nuts, as well as lean meats,
poultry, and eggs.

Increase the amount
and variety of seafood
consumed by
choosing seafood in
place of some meat
and poultry.

Eat seafood in place of meat or poultry twice a week. Select some
seafood that is higher in oils and lower in mercury, such as salmon, trout,
and herring.
Select lean meats and poultry. Choose meat cuts that are low in fat and
ground beef that is extra lean (at least 90% lean). Trim or drain fat from
meat and remove poultry skin before cooking or eating.
Try grilling, broiling, poaching, or roasting. These cooking methods do not
add extra fat.
Drain fat from ground meats after cooking. Avoid breading on meat and
poultry, which adds calories.

grains
WHOLE GRAINS Increase whole-grain
intake.
Consume at least half
of all grains as whole
grains.

Substitute whole-grain choices for refined grains in breakfast cereals,
breads, crackers, rice, and pasta. For example, choose 100% whole-grain
breads; whole-grain cereals such as oatmeal; whole-grain crackers and
pasta; and brown rice.
Check the ingredients list on product labels for the words “whole” or
“whole grain” before the grain ingredient’s name.
Note that foods labeled with the words “multi-grain,” “stone-ground,”
“100% wheat,” “cracked wheat,” “seven-grain,” or “bran” are usually not
100% whole-grain products, and may not contain any whole grains.
Use the Nutrition Facts label and the ingredients list to choose whole
grains that are a good or excellent source of dietary fiber. Good sources of
fiber contain 10 to 19 percent of the Daily Value per serving, and excellent
sources of dietary fiber contain 20 percent or more.

REFINED
GRAINS

Whenever possible,
replace refined grains
with whole grains.

Eat fewer refined grain products, especially those that are high in calories
from solid fats and/or added sugars, such as cakes, cookies, other
desserts, and pizza.
Replace white bread, rolls, bagels, muffins, pasta, and rice with wholegrain versions.
When choosing a refined grain, check the ingredients list to make sure it
is made with enriched flour.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

taBle a2-1. key consumer Behaviors and Potential strategies for Professionals
(Continued)
topic area

key consumer
Behaviors

Potential strategies

oils and
fats
OILS

Use oils instead of solid When using spreads, choose soft margarines with zero trans fats made from
fats, when possible.
liquid vegetable oil, rather than stick margarine or butter. If you do use butter,
use only a small amount.
When cooking, use vegetable oils such as olive, canola, corn, safflower, or
sunflower oil rather than solid fats (butter, stick margarine, shortening, lard).
Consider calories when adding oils to foods or in cooking. Use only small
amounts to keep calories in check.
Use the ingredients list to choose foods that contain oils with more
unsaturated fats. Use the Nutrition Facts label to choose foods that contain
less saturated fat.

SOLID FATS

Cut back on solid fats.
Choose foods with
little solid fats and
prepare foods to
minimize the amount
of solid fats.
Limit saturated fat
intake and keep trans
fat intake as low as
possible.

Eat fewer foods that contain solid fats. The major sources for Americans are
cakes, cookies, and other desserts (often made with butter, margarine, or
shortening); pizza; cheese; processed and fatty meats (e.g., sausages, hot
dogs, bacon, ribs); and ice cream.
Select lean meats and poultry, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
When cooking, replace solid fats such as butter, beef fat, chicken fat, lard,
stick margarine, and shortening with oils; or choose cooking methods that
do not add fat.
Choose baked, steamed, or broiled rather than fried foods most often.
Check the Nutrition Facts label to choose foods with little or no saturated fat
and no trans fat.
Limit foods containing partially hydrogenated oils, a major source of
trans fats.

added
sugars

Cut back on foods and
drinks with added
sugars or caloric
sweeteners (sugarsweetened beverages).

Drink few or no regular sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, and fruit drinks.
Eat less cake, cookies, ice cream, other desserts, and candy. If you do have
these foods and drinks, have a small portion. These drinks and foods are the
major sources of added sugars for Americans.
Choose water, fat-free milk, 100% fruit juice, or unsweetened tea or coffee
as drinks rather than sugar-sweetened drinks.
Select fruit for dessert. Eat less of high-calorie desserts.
Use the Nutrition Facts label to choose breakfast cereals and other packaged
foods with less total sugars, and use the ingredients list to choose foods with
little or no added sugars.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

taBle a2-1. key consumer Behaviors and Potential strategies for Professionals
(Continued)
topic area

key consumer
Behaviors

Potential strategies

sodiuM

Reduce sodium intake.

Use the Nutrition Facts label to choose foods lower in sodium.

Choose foods low in
sodium and prepare
foods with little salt.

When purchasing canned foods, select those labeled as “reduced sodium,”
“low sodium,” or “no salt added.” Rinse regular canned foods to remove
some sodium. Many packaged foods contain more sodium than their madefrom-fresh counterparts.

Increase potassium
intake.

Use little or no salt when cooking or eating. Trade in your salt shaker for the
pepper shaker. Spices, herbs, and lemon juice can be used as alternatives to
salt to season foods with a variety of flavors.
Gradually reduce the amount of sodium in your foods. Your taste for salt will
change over time.
Get more potassium in your diet. Food sources of potassium include potatoes,
cantaloupe, bananas, beans, and yogurt.

alcohol

For adults of legal
drinking age who
choose to drink
alcohol, consume it in
moderation.

Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day
for men.

Avoid alcohol in certain
situations that can put
you at risk.

If breastfeeding, wait at least 4 hours after drinking alcohol before
breastfeeding . Alcohol should not be consumed at all until consistent latch
on and breastfeeding patterns are established.

Avoid excessive (heavy or binge) drinking.
Consider the calorie content of mixers as well as the alcohol.

Avoid alcohol if you are pregnant or may become pregnant; if under the
legal drinking age; if you are on medication that can interact with alcohol;
if you have medical conditions that could be worsened by drinking; and if
planning to drive, operate machinery, or do other activities that could put
you at risk if you are impaired.
Do not begin drinking or drink more frequently on the basis of potential
health benefits.
food
safety

Be food safe.

Clean: Wash hands, utensils, and cutting boards before and after contact
with raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
Separate: Keep raw meat and poultry apart from foods that won’t be cooked.
Cook: Use a food thermometer. You can’t tell if food is cooked safely by how
it looks.
Chill: Chill leftovers and takeout foods within 2 hours and keep the refrigerator
at 40°F or below.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 3. FOOD SAFETY PRINCIPLES AND GUIDANCE FOR CONSUMERS

A critical part of healthy eating is keeping foods safe.
Every year, foodborne illness affects more than 76
million individuals in the United States, leading to
325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.1 Food
may be handled numerous times as it moves from
the farm to homes. Individuals in their own homes
can reduce contaminants and keep food safe to
eat by following safe food handling practices.
Four basic food safety principles work together to
reduce the risk of foodborne illness—Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. These four principles are the
cornerstones of Fight BAC!®, a national food safety
education campaign.

clean
Microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, can be
spread throughout the kitchen and get onto hands,
cutting boards, utensils, countertops, reusable
grocery bags, and foods. This is called “crosscontamination.” Hand washing is key to preventing
contamination of food with microbes from raw
animal products (e.g., raw seafood, meat, poultry,
and eggs) and from people (e.g., cold, flu, and Staph
infections). Frequent cleaning of surfaces is essential in preventing cross-contamination. To reduce
microbes and contaminants from foods, all produce,
regardless of where it was grown or purchased,
should be thoroughly rinsed. This is particularly
important for produce that will be eaten raw.
hands
Hands should be washed before and after preparing
food, especially after handling raw seafood, meat,
poultry, or eggs, and before eating. In addition,
hand washing is recommended after going to the
bathroom, changing diapers, coughing or sneezing,
tending to someone who is sick or injured, touching
animals, and handling garbage. Hands should be
washed using soap and water. Soaps with antimicrobial agents are not needed for consumer hand
washing, and their use over time can lead to growth
of microbes resistant to these agents. Alcohol-based
( 60%), rinse-free hand sanitizers should be used
when hand washing with soap is not possible.
Wash Hands With Soap and Water
• � Wet hands with clean running water and apply
soap. Use warm water if it is available.

• � Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub
all parts of the hands for 20 seconds.
• � Rinse hands well under running water.
• � Dry hands using a clean paper towel. If possible,
use a paper towel to turn off the faucet.
surfaces
Surfaces should be washed with hot, soapy water. A
solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine
bleach per gallon of water can be used to sanitize
surfaces. Many surfaces should be kept clean,
including tables, countertops, sinks, utensils, cutting
boards, and appliances. For example, the insides of
microwaves easily become soiled with food, allowing
microbes to grow. They should be cleaned often.
Keep Appliances Clean
• At least once a week, throw out refrigerated
foods that should no longer be eaten. Cooked
leftovers should be discarded after 4 days; raw
poultry and ground meats, 1 to 2 days.
• Wipe up spills immediately—clean food contact
surfaces often.
• Clean the inside and the outside of appliances.
Pay particular attention to buttons and handles
where cross-contamination to hands can occur.
foods
Vegetables and fruits. All produce, regardless of
where it was grown or purchased, should be thoroughly rinsed. Many precut packaged items, like
lettuce or baby carrots, are labeled as prewashed and
ready-to-eat. These products can be eaten without
further rinsing.
Rinse Produce
• Rinse fresh vegetables and fruits under running
water just before eating, cutting, or cooking.
• Do not use soap or detergent; commercial

produce washes are not needed.

• Even if you plan to peel or cut the produce
before eating, it is still important to thoroughly
rinse it first to prevent microbes from transferring from the outside to the inside of the
produce.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Food Safety Web site. http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/. Accessed November 12, 2010.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

• Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush while you rinse it.
• Dry produce with a clean cloth towel or paper
towel to further reduce bacteria that may be
present. Wet produce can allow remaining
microbes to multiply faster.
seafood, meat, and poultry. Raw seafood, meat,
and poultry should not be rinsed. Bacteria in these
raw juices can spread to other foods, utensils, and
surfaces, leading to foodborne illness.

seParate
Separating foods that are ready-to-eat from those
that are raw or that might otherwise contain harmful microbes is key to preventing foodborne illness.
Attention should be given to separating foods at
every step of food handling, from purchase to preparation to serving.
Separate Foods When Shopping
• Place raw seafood, meat, and poultry in plastic
bags. Separate them from other foods in your
grocery cart and bags.
• Store raw seafood, meat, and poultry below
ready-to-eat foods in your refrigerator.
• Clean reusable grocery bags regularly. Wash
canvas and cloth bags in the washing machine and
wash plastic reusable bags with hot, soapy water.
Separate Foods When Preparing and Serving Food
• Always use a clean cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw seafood, meat,
and poultry.
• Always use a clean plate to serve and eat food.
• Never place cooked food back on the same plate
or cutting board that previously held raw food.

cook and chill
Seafood, meat, poultry, and egg dishes should be
cooked to the recommended safe minimum internal
temperature to destroy harmful microbes (Table A3-1).
It is not always possible to tell whether a food is safe
by how it looks. A food thermometer should be used to
ensure that food is safely cooked and that cooked food
is held at safe temperatures until eaten. In general, the
food thermometer should be placed in the thickest
part of the food, not touching bone, fat, or gristle. The
manufacturer’s instructions should be followed for the
amount of time needed to measure the temperature of
foods. Food thermometers should be cleaned with hot,
soapy water before and after each use.
Temperature rules also apply to microwave cooking.
Microwave ovens can cook unevenly and leave “cold
spots” where harmful bacteria can survive. When
cooking using a microwave, foods should be stirred,
rotated, and/or flipped periodically to help them
cook evenly. Microwave cooking instructions on food
packages always should be followed.
Keep Foods at Safe Temperatures
• Hold cold foods at 40°F or below.
• Keep hot foods at 140°F or above.
• Foods are no longer safe to eat when they have
been in the danger zone of 40-140°F for more
than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature was
above 90°F).
– When shopping, the 2-hour window includes
the amount of time food is in the grocery
basket, car, and on the kitchen counter.
– As soon as frozen food begins to thaw and
become warmer than 40°F, any bacteria that
may have been present before freezing can
begin to multiply. Use one of the three safe
ways to thaw foods: (1) in the refrigerator, (2) in
cold water (i.e., in a leakproof bag, changing cold
water every 30 minutes), or (3) in the microwave. Never thaw food on the counter.
• Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below. Keep
your freezer at 0°F or below. Monitor these
temperatures with appliance thermometers.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

taBle a3-1. recommended safe Minimum internal cooking temperatures
Consumers should use a food thermometer to determine internal temperatures of foods.
food

degrees fahrenheit (°f)

ground meat and meat mixtures
Beef, pork, veal, lamb

160

Turkey, chicken

165

fresh beef, veal, lamb
Steaks, roasts, chops

145

Poultry
Chicken and turkey, whole

165

Poultry breasts, roasts

165

Poultry thighs, wings

165

Duck and goose

165

Stuffing (cooked alone or in bird)

165

fresh pork

160

ham
Fresh (raw)

160

Pre-cooked (to reheat)

140

eggs and egg dishes
Eggs

Cook until yolk and white are firm.

Egg dishes

160

seafood
Fish

145
Cook fish until it is opaque (milky white) and flakes with a fork.

Shellfish
Shrimp, lobster, scallops

Cook until the flesh of shrimp and lobster are an opaque color. Scallops
should be opaque and firm.

Clams, mussels, oysters

Cook until their shells open. This means that they are done. Throw away
any that were already open before cooking as well as ones that did not open
after cooking.

casseroles and reheated leftovers

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

165

risky eating Behaviors
Harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites do not
always change the look or smell of food. This makes
it impossible for consumers to know whether food is
contaminated. Consumption of raw or undercooked
animal food products increases the risk of contracting a foodborne illness. Raw or undercooked foods
commonly eaten in the United States include eggs
(e.g., eggs with runny yolks), ground beef (e.g.,
undercooked hamburger), milk and milk products
(e.g., cheese made from unpasteurized milk), and
seafood (e.g., raw oysters). Cooking foods to recommended safe minimum internal temperatures and
consuming only pasteurized milk and milk products
are the best ways to reduce the risk of foodborne illness from animal products. Consumers who prepare
foods that require eggs to remain raw (e.g., eggnog,
hollandaise sauce, homemade ice cream) should use
pasteurized eggs or egg products. Consumers who
choose to eat raw seafood despite the risks should
choose seafood that has been previously frozen,
which will kill parasites but not harmful microbes.
specific Populations at increased risk
Some individuals, including women who are
pregnant and their unborn children, young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened
immune systems (such as those living with HIV
infection, cancer treatment, organ transplant, or
liver disease), are more susceptible than the general population to the effects of foodborne illnesses
such as listeriosis and salmonellosis. The outcome
of contracting a foodborne illness for these individuals can be severe or even fatal. They need to take
special care to keep foods safe and to not eat foods
that increase the risk of foodborne illness. Women
who are pregnant, infants and young children, older

adults, and people with weakened immune systems
should only eat foods with seafood, meat, poultry,
or eggs that have been cooked to recommended
safe minimum internal temperatures. They also
should take special precautions not to consume
unpasteurized (raw) juice or milk or foods made
from unpasteurized milk, like some soft cheeses
(e.g., Feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, Brie, Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses, and Panela).
They should reheat deli and luncheon meats and
hot dogs to steaming hot to kill Listeria, the bacteria
that causes listeriosis, and not eat raw sprouts,
which also can carry harmful bacteria.

resources for additional food
safety inforMation
Federal Food Safety Gateway: www.foodsafety.gov
Fight BAC!®: www.fightbac.org
Be Food Safe: www.befoodsafe.gov
Is It Done Yet?: www.isitdoneyet.gov
Thermy™: www.fsis.usda.gov/food_safety_education/
thermy/index.asp
For more information and answers to specific
questions:
• Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) TTY: 1-800256-7072. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time, Monday through Friday, in English and
Spanish, or email: [email protected]
• Visit “Ask Karen,” FSIS’s Web-based automated
response system at www.fsis.usda.gov.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 4. USING THE FOOD LABEL TO TRACK CALORIES, NUTRIENTS,
AND INGREDIENTS

The Nutrition Facts label and the ingredients list on
packages of foods and beverages are useful tools
that can help consumers learn about what is in foods
and beverages (Figure A4-1). Food labeling can help
consumers evaluate and compare the nutritional
content and/or the ingredients in foods and beverages. This can help them identify the calorie and
nutrient content of a food and select foods with
higher or lower amounts of certain nutrients that fit
within an overall healthy eating pattern.

figure a4-1. the nutrition facts label
and ingredients list of a granola Bar

Serving Size 1 Bar (40g)
Amount Per Serving

Check Calories Calories 170

Calories from Fat 60
% Daily Value*

Total Fat 7g

Limit These
Nutrients

Saturated Fat 3g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 160mg
Total Carbohydrate 24g
Dietary Fiber 3g
Sugars 10g

11%

15%
0%
7%
8%

12%

Protein 5g

Get Enough of
These Nutrients

Vitamin A 2%
Calcium 20%

•
•

Vitamin C 2%
Iron 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on
your calorie needs:

Footnote

Calories per gram:
• Carbohydrate 4
Fat 9
• Protein 4

ingredients
Granola Bar (Brown Rice Syrup, Granola [rolled oats, honey, canola oil],
Dry Roasted Peanuts, Soy Crisps [soy protein isolate, rice flour, malt
extract, calcium carbonate], Crisp Brown Rice [organic brown rice flour,
evaporated cane juice, molasses, rice bran extract, sea salt], Glycerine,
Peanut Butter [ground dry roasted peanuts], Inulin, Whey Protein
Isolate, Gold Flax Seeds, Quinoa Flakes, Calcium Carbonate, Salt,
Natural Flavors, Water, Soy Lecithin [an emulsifier]), Dark Compound
Coating (evaporated cane juice, palm kernel oil, cocoa [processed with
alkali], palm oil, soy lecithin [an emulsifier]).

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

nutrition facts laBel
The Nutrition Facts label provides the number of
calories that are in a serving of food and the number
of servings that are in a package (e.g., can or box).
This information can be used to determine how
many calories are being consumed from one serving,
or from that portion eaten if it is more or less than
one serving. For example, if a package contains two
servings and the entire package is consumed, then
twice the calories and nutrients listed in the Nutrition
Facts label are being consumed.
The Nutrition Facts label also provides information
on the amount (i.e., grams [g] or milligrams [mg])
per serving of dietary fiber, as well as the amount of
certain nutrients that should be limited in the diet,
including saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and
sodium. It is mandatory for this information to be
provided on the Nutrition Facts label.
The label also provides the percent Daily Value for
these nutrients (except trans fat and sugars) and
several shortfall nutrients, including dietary fiber
and calcium. The Daily Value is based on a reference
intake level that should be consumed or should not
be exceeded. The percent Daily Value can be used
to determine whether a serving of a food contributes
a lot or a little of a particular nutrient and provides
information on how a serving of the food fits in the
context of a total daily diet. The higher the percent
Daily Value, the more that serving of food contributes to an individual’s intake of a specific nutrient.
Foods that are “low” in a nutrient generally contain
less than 5 percent of the Daily Value. Foods that are
a “good” source of a nutrient generally contain 10 to
19 percent of the Daily Value per serving. Foods that
are “high” or “rich” in or are an “excellent” source of
a nutrient generally contain 20 percent or more of
the Daily Value per serving.
The footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts
label provides the Daily Values for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate,
and fiber, based on a 2,000 or 2,500 calorie diet.
The Daily Value for these nutrients, other than
cholesterol and sodium, would be higher or lower
depending on an individual’s calorie needs (e.g., the
lower one’s calorie needs, the lower the Daily Value
for the particular nutrients).

Solid fats are not specified on the Nutrition Facts
label. However, consumers can look at the saturated
fat and trans fat content of a food in the Nutrition
Facts label for a rough estimate of the amount of
solid fat in it. Foods that are low in saturated fats or
contain zero grams of trans fats contain low amounts
of solid fats. The ingredients list (see below) also can
be used to help identify foods that contain solid fats.
The Nutrition Facts label provides the total amount
of sugars (natural and added), but does not list
added sugars separately. Natural sugars are found
mainly in fruit and milk products. Therefore, for all
foods that do not contain any fruit or milk ingredients, the total amount of sugars listed in the
Nutrition Facts label approximates the amount of
added sugars. For foods that contain fruit or milk
products, added sugars can be identified in the
ingredients list.

are not one of the first few ingredients. Examples of
unsaturated oils that may be listed as an ingredient
are provided in Chapter 3, Figure 3-3. Examples of
solid fats that may be used in the ingredients list are
provided in Table A4-1. The ingredients list can be
used in the same way to identify foods that are high
in added sugars. Added sugars that are often used as
ingredients are provided in Table A4-2.

taBle a4-1. examples of solid fatsa
that can Be listed as an ingredient
Beef fat (tallow, suet)
Butter
Chicken fat
Coconut oil
Cream
Hydrogenated oils

ingredients list
The ingredients list can be used to find out whether
a food or beverage contains synthetic trans fats, solid
fats, added sugars, whole grains, and refined grains.
Ingredients are listed in the order of weight; that
is, the ingredient with the greatest contribution to
the product weight is listed first and the ingredient
contributing the least is listed last (Figure A4-1). The
ingredients list is usually located near the name of
the food’s manufacturer and often under the Nutrition Facts label.
trans fats
Although the amount by weight of trans fat is provided
on the Nutrition Facts label, the ingredients list can
help identify the type of trans fat in the food (i.e., synthetic vs. natural). Synthetic trans fats can be produced
during the hydrogenation of oils (see Chapter 3). If the
ingredients list includes partially hydrogenated oils,
then the product is likely to contain trans fatty acids.
oils, solid fats, and added sugars
To determine whether foods contain oils or solid
fats, consumers can read the ingredients list to
make sure that fats in the foods are oils containing
primarily unsaturated fatty acids and that solid fats

Palm kernel oil
Palm oil
Partially hydrogenated oils
Pork fat (lard)
Shortening
Stick margarine
a. The oils listed here are high in saturated fat, and partially
hydrogenated oils contain trans fat; therefore, for nutritional
purposes, these oils are considered solid fats.

whole grains
The ingredients list also can be used to find out
if a food contains whole grains. Whole grains are
consumed either as a single food (e.g., wild rice or
popcorn) or as a food that contains whole grains as
an ingredient (e.g., cereals, breads, and crackers). If
whole grains are the primary ingredient listed, the
food could be considered a 100% whole-grain food.
The relative amount of grain in the food is important
and can be inferred by placement of the grain in the
ingredients list. The whole grain should be the first
or second ingredient, after water. For foods with
multiple whole-grain ingredients, they should appear
near the beginning of the ingredients list. Examples
of whole grains that can be listed as an ingredient are
provided in Table A4-3.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

taBle a4-2. examples of added sugars that can Be listed as an ingredient
Anhydrous dextrose

Lactose

Brown sugar

Malt syrup

Confectioner’s powdered sugar

Maltose

Corn syrup

Maple syrup

Corn syrup solids

Molasses

Dextrin

Nectars (e.g., peach nectar, pear nectar)

Fructose

Pancake syrup

High-fructose corn syrup

Raw sugar

Honey

Sucrose

Invert sugar

Sugar
White granulated sugar

Other added sugars may be listed as an ingredient but are not recognized by FDA as an ingredient name. These include cane juice,
evaporated corn sweetener, fruit juice concentrate, crystal dextrose, glucose, liquid fructose, sugar cane juice, and fruit nectar.

taBle a4-3. examples of whole grains
that can Be listed as an ingredient
Brown rice

Whole-grain sorghum

Buckwheat

Whole-grain triticale

Bulgur (cracked wheat)

Whole-grain barley

Millet

Whole-grain corn

Oatmeal

Whole oats/oatmeal

Popcorn

Whole rye

Quinoa

Whole wheat

Rolled oats

Wild rice

Some foods are labeled “made with whole grains.”
Although some foods are labeled as being a “good
source of whole grains,” no definition for a “good” or
“excellent” source of whole grains has been established. Foods in which a substantial proportion of the
grain ingredients are whole grains can help consumers increase their whole-grain intake (see Chapter 4).
Many, but not all whole-grain products are good or
excellent sources of dietary fiber. Use the Nutrition
Facts label on whole-grain products to choose foods
that are a good or excellent source of dietary fiber. For
example, Figure A4-1 shows that the granola bar is a
good source (12% of the Daily Value) of dietary fiber.
refined grains
When refined grains (e.g., white bread and white
rice) are consumed, they should be enriched. Often
the package will state that it is “enriched.” The ingredients list also can be used to determine whether a
refined grain has been enriched with iron, thiamin,
riboflavin, niacin, and fortified with folic acid.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 5. NUTRITIONAL GOALS FOR AGE-GENDER GROUPS, BASED ON
DIETARY REFERENCE INTAKES AND DIETARY GUIDELINES RECOMMENDATIONS

nutrient (units)

source
of goala

child female
1–3
4–8

Male
4–8

female
9–13

Male
9–13

female
14–18

Male
14–18

female
19–30

Male
19–30

female
31–50

Male
31–50

female
51+

Male
51+

10–30 10–30

10–35

130

Macronutrients
Protein (g)
(% of calories)
Carbohydrate (g)
(% of calories)
Total fiber (g)
Total fat
(% of calories)

RDAb
AMDRc
RDA

5–20 10–30

10–30

130

AMDR 45–65 45–65 45–65
IOMd

130

45–65 45–65 45–65 45–65 45–65
22

45–65 45–65 45–65 45–65 45–65

AMDR 30–40 25–35

25–35

25–35 25–35

25–35 25–35 20–35

20–35 20–35 20–35 20–35

20–35

<10%

Saturated fat
(% of calories)

DGe

Linoleic acid (g)

AIf

(% of calories)

AMDR

5–10

alpha-Linolenic
acid (g)

0.7

0.9

1.0

1.2

1.1

1.6

1.1

1.6

1.1

1.6

1.1

1.6

(% of calories)
Cholesterol
(mg)

<10% <10%

AMDR 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2 0.6–1.2
DG

<300

Calcium (mg)

RDA

700

1,000

1,300

1,000

1,200

Iron (mg)

RDA

Magnesium
(mg)

RDA

130

240

360

410

310

400

320

420

320

420

Phosphorus
(mg)

RDA

460

500

1,250

700

3,000 3,800

3,800

4,500

4,700

Minerals

Potassium (mg)
Sodium (mg)

ULg <1,500 <1,900 <1,900 <2,200 <2,200 <2,300 <2,300 <2,300 <2,300 <2,300 <2,300 <2,300 <2,300

Zinc (mg)

RDA

Copper (mcg)

RDA

340

440

700

890

900

Selenium (mcg)

RDA

Vitamin A (mcg
RAE)

RDA

300

400

600

700

900

700

900

700

900

700

900

Vitamin Dh
(mcg)

RDA

Vitamin E (mg
AT)

RDA

Vitamin C (mg)

RDA

Thiamin (mg)

RDA

0.5

0.6

0.9

1.0

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.2

Riboflavin (mg)

RDA

0.5

0.6

0.9

1.0

1.3

1.1

1.3

1.1

1.3

1.1

1.3

Niacin (mg)

RDA

Folate (mcg)

RDA

150

200

300

400

Vitamin B6 (mg)

RDA

0.5

0.6

1.0

1.2

1.3

1.5

1.7

Vitamin B12
(mcg)

RDA

0.9

1.2

1.8

2.4

Choline (mg)

200

250

375

400

550

425

550

425

550

425

550

Vitamin K (mcg)

120

vitamins

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

notes for aPPendix 5.
a

Dietary Guidelines recommendations are used when no quantitative Dietary Reference Intake value is available; apply to ages 2 years and older.
�
Recommended Dietary Allowance, IOM.
�
c
Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range, IOM.

d
14 grams per 1,000 calories, IOM.
�
e
Dietary Guidelines recommendation.
�
f
Adequate Intake, IOM.

g
Upper Limit, IOM.
�
h
1 mcg of vitamin D is equivalent to 40 IU.
�
AT = alpha-tocopherol; DFE = dietary folate equivalents; RAE = retinol activity equivalents.
�
b

Sources:

Britten P, Marcoe K, Yamini S, Davis C. Development of food intake patterns for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System. J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38(6

Suppl):S78-S92.

IOM. Dietary Reference Intakes: The essential guide to nutrient requirements. Washington (DC): The National Academies Press; 2006.

IOM. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington (DC): The National Academies Press; 2010.
�

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

gender/
activity levelb

Male/
sedentary

Male/
Moderately active

Male/
active

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,200

1,400

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,400

1,600

1,800

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,400

1,600

1,800

1,200

1,600

1,800

1,400

1,600

2,000

1,400

1,600

1,800

1,600

1,800

2,000

1,400

1,600

1,800

femalec/
femalec/
sedentary Moderately active

femalec/
active

Age (years)

1,600

1,800

2,200

1,400

1,800

2,000

1,800

2,000

2,200

1,600

1,800

2,000

1,800

2,200

2,400

1,600

2,000

2,200

2,000

2,200

2,600

1,600

2,000

2,200

2,000

2,400

2,800

1,800

2,000

2,400

2,200

2,600

3,000

1,800

2,000

2,400

2,800

3,200

1,800

2,000

2,400

2,800

3,200

1,800

2,000

2,400

2,800

3,200

1,800

2,000

2,400

19–20

2,600

2,800

3,000

2,000

2,200

2,400

21–25

2,400

2,800

3,000

2,000

2,200

2,400

26–30

2,400

2,600

3,000

1,800

2,000

2,400

31–35

2,400

2,600

3,000

1,800

2,000

2,200

36–40

2,400

2,600

2,800

1,800

2,000

2,200

41–45

2,200

2,600

2,800

1,800

2,000

2,200

46–50

2,200

2,400

2,800

1,800

2,000

2,200

51–55

2,200

2,400

2,800

1,600

1,800

2,200

56–60

2,200

2,400

2,600

1,600

1,800

2,200

61–65

2,000

2,400

2,600

1,600

1,800

2,000

66–70

2,000

2,200

2,600

1,600

1,800

2,000

71–75

2,000

2,200

2,600

1,600

1,800

2,000

76+

2,000

2,200

2,400

1,600

1,800

2,000

a. Based on Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) equations, using reference heights (average) and reference weights (healthy) for each age-gender
group. For children and adolescents, reference height and weight vary. For adults, the reference man is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 154 pounds. The
reference woman is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 126 pounds. EER equations are from the Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy,
Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington (DC): The National Academies Press; 2002.
b. Sedentary means a lifestyle that includes only the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life. Moderately active means a lifestyle that
includes physical activity equivalent to walking about 1.5 to 3 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per hour, in addition to the light physical activity associated
with typical day-to-day life. Active means a lifestyle that includes physical activity equivalent to walking more than 3 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per
hour, in addition to the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life.
c. Estimates for females do not include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Source: Britten P, Marcoe K, Yamini S, Davis C. Development of food intake patterns for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System. J Nutr Educ Behav
2006;38(6 Suppl):S78-S92.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 7. USDA FOOD PATTERNS

For each food group or subgroup,a recommended average daily intake amountsb at all calorie levels. Recommended intakes from vegetable
and protein foods subgroups are per week. For more information and tools for application, go to MyPyramid.gov.
calorie level
of patternc
fruits

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2,000

2,200

2,400

2,600

2,800

3,000

3,200

1½ c

2½ c

1½ c

2½ c

3½ c

Dark-green
vegetables

½ c/wk

1 c/wk

1½ c/wk

2 c/wk

2½ c/wk

Red and
orange
vegetables

2½ c/wk

3 c/wk

4 c/wk

5½ c/wk

6 c/wk

7 c/wk

7½ c/wk

Beans
and peas
(legumes)

½ c/wk

1 c/wk

1½ c/wk

2 c/wk

2½ c/wk

3 c/wk

Starchy
vegetables

2 c/wk

3½ c/wk

4 c/wk

5 c/wk

6 c/wk

7 c/wk

8 c/wk

Other
vegetables

1½ c/wk

2½ c/wk

3½ c/wk

4 c/wk

5 c/wk

5½ c/wk

7 c/wk

grainse

3 oz-eq

4 oz-eq

5 oz-eq

6 oz-eq

7 oz-eq

8 oz-eq

9 oz-eq

10 oz-eq

Whole
grains

1½ oz-eq

2 oz-eq

2½ oz-eq

3 oz-eq

3½ oz-eq

4 oz-eq

4½ oz-eq

5 oz-eq

Enriched
grains

1½ oz-eq

2 oz-eq

2½ oz-eq

2 oz-eq

3 oz-eq

3½ oz-eq

4 oz-eq

4½ oz-eq

5 oz-eq

2 oz-eq

3 oz-eq

4 oz-eq

5 oz-eq

5½ oz-eq

6 oz-eq

6½ oz-eq

7 oz-eq

11 oz/wk

34 oz/wk 34 oz/wk

34 oz/wk

vegetables

Protein
foodsd
Seafood

3 oz/wk

5 oz/wk

6 oz/wk

8 oz/wk

9 oz/wk

10 oz/wk

Meat,
poultry,
eggs

10 oz/wk

14 oz/wk

19 oz/wk

24 oz/wk

26 oz/wk

29 oz/wk

31 oz/wk

1 oz/wk

2 oz/wk

3 oz/wk

4 oz/wk

5 oz/wk

dairyf

2½ c

oilsg

15 g

17 g

22 g

24 g

27 g

29 g

31 g

34 g

36 g

44 g

51 g

137
(14%)

121
(10%)

121
(9%)

121
(8%)

161
(9%)

258
(13%)

266
(12%)

330
(14%)

362
(14%)

395
(14%)

459
(15%)

596
(19%)

Nuts,
seeds, soy
products

Maximum
sofash
limit,
calories
(% of
calories)

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

notes for aPPendix 7.
a

All foods are assumed to be in nutrient-dense forms, lean or low-fat and prepared without added fats, sugars, or salt. Solid fats and
added sugars may be included up to the daily maximum limit identified in the table. Food items in each group and subgroup are:

fruits

All fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and fruit juices: for example, oranges and orange juice, apples and
apple juice, bananas, grapes, melons, berries, raisins.

vegetables
• Dark-green
vegetables

All fresh, frozen, and canned dark-green leafy vegetables and broccoli, cooked or raw: for example, broccoli;
spinach; romaine; collard, turnip, and mustard greens.

• Red and orange
vegetables

All fresh, frozen, and canned red and orange vegetables, cooked or raw: for example, tomatoes, red peppers,
carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and pumpkin.

• Beans and peas
(legumes)

All cooked beans and peas: for example, kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, and pinto beans. Does not include
green beans or green peas.
(See additional comment under protein foods group.)

• Starchy vegetables All fresh, frozen, and canned starchy vegetables: for example, white potatoes, corn, green peas.
• Other vegetables

All fresh, frozen, and canned other vegetables, cooked or raw: for example, iceberg lettuce, green beans, and
onions.

grains
• Whole grains

All whole-grain products and whole grains used as ingredients: for example, whole-wheat bread, whole-grain
cereals and crackers, oatmeal, and brown rice.

• Enriched grains

All enriched refined-grain products and enriched refined grains used as ingredients: for example, white
breads, enriched grain cereals and crackers, enriched pasta, white rice.

Protein foods

All meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, and processed soy products. Meat and poultry should be lean or
low-fat and nuts should be unsalted. Beans and peas are considered part of this group as well as the vegetable
group, but should be counted in one group only.

dairy

All milks, including lactose-free and lactose-reduced products and fortified soy beverages, yogurts, frozen yogurts, dairy desserts, and cheeses. Most choices should be fat-free or low-fat. Cream, sour cream, and cream
cheese are not included due to their low calcium content.

b. Food group amounts are shown in cup (c) or ounce-equivalents (oz-eq). Oils are shown in grams (g). Quantity equivalents for each food group are:
• Grains, 1 ounce-equivalent is: 1 one-ounce slice bread; 1 ounce uncooked pasta or rice; ½ cup cooked rice, pasta, or cereal; 1 tortilla (6" diameter);
1 pancake (5" diameter); 1 ounce ready-to-eat cereal (about 1 cup cereal flakes).
• Vegetables and fruits, 1 cup equivalent is: 1 cup raw or cooked vegetable or fruit; ½ cup dried vegetable or fruit; 1 cup vegetable or fruit juice; 2 cups
leafy salad greens.
• Protein foods, 1 ounce-equivalent is: 1 ounce lean meat, poultry, seafood; 1 egg; 1 Tbsp peanut butter; ½ ounce nuts or seeds. Also, ¼ cup cooked beans
or peas may also be counted as 1 ounce-equivalent.
• Dairy, 1 cup equivalent is: 1 cup milk, fortified soy beverage, or yogurt; 1½ ounces natural cheese (e.g., cheddar); 2 ounces of processed cheese (e.g.,
American).
c. See Appendix 6 for estimated calorie needs per day by age, gender, and physical activity level. Food intake patterns at 1,000, 1,200, and 1,400 calories
meet the nutritional needs of children ages 2 to 8 years. Patterns from 1,600 to 3,200 calories meet the nutritional needs of children ages 9 years and
older and adults. If a child ages 4 to 8 years needs more calories and, therefore, is following a pattern at 1,600 calories or more, the recommended amount
from the dairy group can be 2½ cups per day. Children ages 9 years and older and adults should not use the 1,000, 1,200, or 1,400 calorie patterns.
d. Vegetable and protein foods subgroup amounts are shown in this table as weekly amounts, because it would be difficult for consumers to select foods
from all subgroups daily.
e. Whole-grain subgroup amounts shown in this table are minimums. More whole grains up to all of the grains recommended may be selected, with
offsetting decreases in the amounts of enriched refined grains.
f. The amount of dairy foods in the 1,200 and 1,400 calorie patterns have increased to reflect new RDAs for calcium that are higher than previous
recommendations for children ages 4 to 8 years.
g. Oils and soft margarines include vegetable, nut, and fish oils and soft vegetable oil table spreads that have no trans fats.
h. SoFAS are calories from solid fats and added sugars. The limit for SoFAS is the remaining amount of calories in each food pattern after selecting the
specified amounts in each food group in nutrient-dense forms (forms that are fat-free or low-fat and with no added sugars). The number of SoFAS is lower
in the 1,200, 1,400, and 1,600 calorie patterns than in the 1,000 calorie pattern. The nutrient goals for the 1,200 to 1,600 calorie patterns are higher and
require that more calories be used for nutrient-dense foods from the food groups.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 8. LACTO-OVO VEGETARIAN ADAPTATION OF THE USDA FOOD PATTERNS

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2,000

2,200

2,400

2,600

2,800

3,000

3,200

fruits

1½ c

2½ c

vegetablesd

1½ c

2½ c

3½ c

Dark-green
vegetables

½ c/wk

1 c/wk

1½ c/wk

2 c/wk

2½ c/wk

Red and
orange
vegetables

2½ c/wk

3 c/wk

4 c/wk

5½ c/wk

6 c/wk

7 c/wk

7½ c/wk

Beans
and peas
(legumes)

½ c/wk

1 c/wk

1½ c/wk

2 c/wk

2½ c/wk

3 c/wk

Starchy
vegetables

2 c/wk

3½ c/wk

4 c/wk

5 c/wk

6 c/wk

7 c/wk

8 c/wk

Other
vegetables

1½ c/wk

2½ c/wk

3½ c/wk

4 c/wk

5 c/wk

5½ c/wk

7 c/wk

3 oz-eq

4 oz-eq

5 oz-eq

6 oz-eq

7 oz-eq

8 oz-eq

9 oz-eq

10 oz-eq

Whole grains

1½ oz-eq

2 oz-eq

2½ oz-eq

3 oz-eq

3½ oz-eq

4 oz-eq

4½ oz-eq

5 oz-eq

Refined
grains

1½ oz-eq

2 oz-eq

2½ oz-eq

2 oz-eq

3 oz-eq

3½ oz-eq

4 oz-eq

4½ oz-eq

5 oz-eq

2 oz-eq

3 oz-eq

4 oz-eq

5 oz-eq

5½ oz-eq

6 oz-eq

6½ oz-eq

7 oz-eq

1 oz-eq/
wk

2 oz-eq/
wk

3 oz-eq/
wk

4 oz-eq/
wk

5 oz-eq/
wk

Beans and
peasf

3½ oz-eq/
wk

5 oz-eq/
wk

7 oz-eq/
wk

9 oz-eq/
wk

10 oz-eq/
wk

11 oz-eq/
wk

12 oz-eq/
wk

Soy products

4 oz-eq/
wk

6 oz-eq/
wk

8 oz-eq/
wk

11 oz-eq/
wk

12 oz-eq/
wk

13 oz-eq/
wk

14 oz-eq/
wk

15 oz-eq/
wk

Nuts and
seeds

5 oz-eq/
wk

7 oz-eq/
wk

10 oz-eq/
wk

12 oz-eq/
wk

13 oz-eq/
wk

15 oz-eq/
wk

16 oz-eq/
wk

17 oz-eq/
wk

2½ c

12 g

13 g

12 g

15 g

17 g

19 g

21 g

22 g

25 g

26 g

34 g

41 g

137
(14%)

121
(10%)

121
(9%)

121
(8%)

161
(9%)

258
(13%)

266
(12%)

330
(14%)

362
(14%)

395
(14%)

459
(15%)

596
(19%)

grainse

Protein foodsd
Eggs

dairyg
oils

Maximum
sofasi limit,
calories
(% total
calories)

a,b,c,d,e. See Appendix table 7, notes a through e.
f. Total recommended beans and peas amounts would be the sum of amounts recommended in the vegetable and the protein foods groups. An ounce-equivalent of beans and peas
in the protein foods group is ¼ cup, cooked. For example, in the 2,000 calorie pattern, total weekly beans and peas recommendation is (10 oz-eq/4) + 1½ cups = about 4 cups, cooked.
g,h,i. See Appendix 7, notes f, g, and h.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 9. VEGAN ADAPTATION OF THE USDA FOOD PATTERNS

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2,000

2,200

2,400

2,600

2,800

3,000

3,200

fruits

1½ c

2½ c

vegetablesd

1½ c

2½ c

3½ c

Dark-green
vegetables

½ c/wk

1 c/wk

1½ c/wk

2 c/wk

2½ c/wk

Red and
orange
vegetables

2½ c/wk

3 c/wk

4 c/wk

5½ c/wk

6 c/wk

7 c/wk

7½ c/wk

Beans
and peas
(legumes)

½ c/wk

1 c/wk

1½ c/wk

2 c/wk

2½ c/wk

3 c/wk

Starchy
vegetables

2 c/wk

3½ c/wk

4 c/wk

5 c/wk

6 c/wk

7 c/wk

8 c/wk

Other
vegetables

1½ c/wk

2½ c/wk

3½ c/wk

4 c/wk

5 c/wk

5½ c/wk

7 c/wk

3 oz-eq

4 oz-eq

5 oz-eq

6 oz-eq

7 oz-eq

8 oz-eq

9 oz-eq

10 oz-eq

Whole grains

1½ oz-eq

2 oz-eq

2½ oz-eq

3 oz-eq

3½ oz-eq

4 oz-eq

4½ oz-eq

5 oz-eq

Refined
grains

1½ oz-eq

2 oz-eq

2½ oz-eq

2 oz-eq

3 oz-eq

3½ oz-eq

4 oz-eq

4½ oz-eq

5 oz-eq

grainse

Protein foodsd

2 oz-eq

3 oz-eq

4 oz-eq

5 oz-eq

5½ oz-eq

6 oz-eq

6½ oz-eq

7 oz-eq

Beans and
peasf

5 oz-eq/
wk

7 oz-eq/
wk

10 oz-eq/
wk

12 oz-eq/
wk

13 oz-eq/
wk

15 oz-eq/
wk

16 oz-eq/
wk

17 oz-eq/
wk

Soy products

4 oz-eq/
wk

5 oz-eq/
wk

7 oz-eq/
wk

9 oz-eq/
wk

10 oz-eq/
wk

11 oz-eq/
wk

12 oz-eq/
wk

Nuts and
seeds

6 oz-eq/
wk

8 oz-eq/
wk

11 oz-eq/
wk

14 oz-eq/
wk

15 oz-eq/
wk

17 oz-eq/
wk

18 oz-eq/
wk

18 oz-eq/ 20 oz-eq/ 20 oz-eq/ 20 oz-eq/
wk
wk
wk
wk

dairy (vegan)g
oilsh
Maximum
sofasi limit,
calories
(% total
calories)

2½ c

12 g

11 g

14 g

16 g

18 g

20 g

21 g

24 g

25 g

33 g

40 g

137
(14%)

121
(10%)

121
(9%)

121
(8%)

161
(9%)

258
(13%)

266
(12%)

330
(14%)

362
(14%)

395
(14%)

459
(15%)

596
(19%)

a,b,c,d,e. See Appendix 7, notes a through e.
f. Total recommended beans and peas amounts would be the sum of amounts recommended in the vegetable and the protein foods groups. An ounce-equivalent of beans and peas in
the protein foods group is ¼ cup, cooked. For example, in the 2,000 calorie pattern, total weekly beans and peas recommendation is (13 oz-eq/4) + 1½ cups = about 5 cups, cooked.
g. The vegan “dairy group” is composed of calcium-fortified beverages and foods from plant sources. For analysis purposes the following products were included: calcium-fortified soy
beverage, calcium-fortified rice milk, tofu made with calcium-sulfate, and calcium-fortified soy yogurt. The amounts in the 1,200 and 1,400 calorie patterns have increased to reflect new
RDAs for calcium that are higher than previous recommendations for children ages 4 to 8 years.
h,i. See Appendix 7, notes g and h.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 10. THE DASH EATING PLAN AT VARIOUS CALORIE LEVELS

The number of daily servings in a food group vary depending on caloric needsa

food groupb

1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800
2,000
2,600
3,100
serving sizes
calories calories calories calories calories calories calories

grains

4–5

5–6

6–8

10–11

12–13

1 slice bread
1 oz dry cerealc
½ cup cooked rice, pasta, or cerealc

vegetables

3–4

4–5

5–6

1 cup raw leafy vegetable
½ cup cut-up raw or cooked
vegetable
½ cup vegetable juice

fruits

3–4

4–5

5–6

1 medium fruit
¼ cup dried fruit
½ cup fresh, frozen, or canned fruit
½ cup fruit juice

fat-free or low-fat 2–3
milk and milk
products

2–3

3–4

1 cup milk or yogurt
1½ oz cheese

lean meats,
poultry, and fish

3 or less

3–4 or
less

6 or less

6–9

1 oz cooked meats, poultry, or fish
1 egg

nuts, seeds, and
legumes

3 per
week

3–4 per
week

4 per
week

4–5 per
week

¹⁄3 cup or 1½ oz nuts
2 Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp or ½ oz seeds
½ cup cooked legumes (dried beans,
peas)

fats and oils

2–3

1 tsp soft margarine
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp salad dressing

sweets and
added sugars

3 or less 3 or less 3 or less 5 or less 5 or less < 2
per week per week per week per week per week

1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp jelly or jam
½ cup sorbet, gelatin dessert
1 cup lemonade

Maximum
sodium limitd

2,300
mg/day

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

2,300
mg/day

notes for aPPendix 10.
a. The DASH eating patterns from 1,200 to 1,800 calories meet the nutritional needs of children 4 to 8 years old. Patterns from 1,600
to 3,100 calories meet the nutritional needs of children 9 years and older and adults. See Appendix 6 for estimated calorie needs per
day by age, gender, and physical activity level.
b. Significance to DASH Eating Plan, selection notes, and examples of foods in each food group.
• � Grains: Major sources of energy and fiber. Whole grains are recommended for most grain servings as a good source of fiber and
nutrients. Examples: Whole-wheat bread and rolls; whole-wheat pasta, English muffin, pita bread, bagel, cereals; grits, oatmeal,
brown rice; unsalted pretzels and popcorn.
• � Vegetables: Rich sources of potassium, magnesium, and fiber. Examples: Broccoli, carrots, collards, green beans, green peas, kale,
lima beans, potatoes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes.
• � Fruits: Important sources of potassium, magnesium, and fiber. Examples: Apples, apricots, bananas, dates, grapes, oranges, grapefruit, grapefruit juice, mangoes, melons, peaches, pineapples, raisins, strawberries, tangerines.
• � Fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products: Major sources of calcium and protein. Examples: Fat-free milk or buttermilk; fat-free, lowfat, or reduced-fat cheese; fat-free/low-fat regular or frozen yogurt.
• � Lean meats, poultry, and fish: Rich sources of protein and magnesium. Select only lean; trim away visible fats; broil, roast, or
poach; remove skin from poultry. Since eggs are high in cholesterol, limit egg yolk intake to no more than four per week; two egg
whites have the same protein content as 1 oz meat.
• � Nuts, seeds, and legumes: Rich sources of energy, magnesium, protein, and fiber. Examples: Almonds, filberts, mixed nuts, peanuts,
walnuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, kidney beans, lentils, split peas.
• � Fats and oils: DASH study had 27 percent of calories as fat, including fat in or added to foods. Fat content changes serving
amount for fats and oils. For example, 1 Tbsp regular salad dressing = one serving; 2 Tbsp low-fat dressing = one serving; 1 Tbsp
fat-free dressing = zero servings. Examples: Soft margarine, vegetable oil (canola, corn, olive, safflower), low-fat mayonnaise,
light salad dressing.
• � Sweets and added sugars: Sweets should be low in fat. Examples: Fruit-flavored gelatin, fruit punch, hard candy, jelly, maple

syrup, sorbet and ices, sugar.
�
c. Serving sizes vary between ½ cup and 1¼ cups, depending on cereal type. Check product’s Nutrition Facts label.
d. The DASH Eating Plan consists of patterns with a sodium limit of 2,300 mg and 1,500 mg per day.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 11. ESTIMATED EPA AND DHA AND MERCURY CONTENT IN 4 OUNCES
OF SELECTED SEAFOOD VARIETIES

common seafood varieties

ePa+dhaa mg/4 ozb

Mercuryc mcg/4 ozd

Salmon†: Atlantic , Chinook , Coho

1,200–2,400

Anchovies ,†, Herring ,†, and Shad†

2,300–2,400

5–10

Mackerel: Atlantic and Pacific (not King)

1,350–2,100

8–13

Tuna: Bluefin ,† and Albacore†

1,700

54–58

Sardines†: Atlantic and Pacific

1,100–1,600

Oysters: Pacifice,f

1,550

Trout: Freshwater

1,000–1,100

Tuna: White (Albacore) canned

1,000

Mussels†,f: Blue

900

Salmon†: Pink and Sockeye

700–900

Squid

750

Pollock†: Atlantic and Walleye

*
*
Crabf: Blue†, King*,†, Snow†, Queen*, and
Dungeness*

600

200–550

Tuna: Skipjack and Yellowfin

150–350

31–49

Flounder ,†, Plaice†, and Sole ,† (Flatfish)

350

Clamsf

200–300

Tuna: Light canned

150–300

Catfish

100–250

Cod†: Atlantic and Pacific

200

2–5

200

Crayfishf

200

Tilapia

150

Shrimpf

100

*
*
Scallops†,f: Bay* and Sea*
Haddock*,† and Hake†
Lobstersf,g: Northern*,† American†

seafood varieties that should not be consumed by women who are pregnant or breastfeedingh
Shark

1,250

151

Tilefish : Gulf of Mexico†,i

1,000

219

Swordfish

1,000

147

Mackerel: King

450

110

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

notes for aPPendix 11.
a. A total of 1,750 mg of Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic (DHA) per week represents an average of 250 mg per day,

which is the goal amount to achieve at the recommended 8 ounces of seafood per week for the general public.

b. EPA and DHA values are for cooked, edible portion rounded to the nearest 50 mg. Ranges are provided when values are

comparable. Values are estimates.

c. A total of 39 mcg of mercury per week would reach the EPA reference dose limit (0.1 mcg/kg/d) for a woman who is pregnant or

breastfeeding and who weighs 124 pounds (56 kg).
�
d. Mercury was measured as total mercury and/or methyl mercury. Mercury values of zero were below the level of detection. NA–
�
Data not available. Values for mercury adjusted to reflect 4 ounce weight after cooking, assuming 25 percent moisture loss. Canned

varieties not adjusted; mercury values gathered from cooked forms. Values are rounded to the nearest whole number. Ranges are

provided when values are comparable. Values are estimates.
�
e. Eastern oysters have approximately 500–550 mg of EPA+DHA per 4 ounces.
�
f. Cooked by moist heat.
�
g. Spiny Lobster has approximately 550 mg of EPA+DHA and 14 mcg mercury per 4 ounces.
�
h. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also limit white (Albacore) Tuna to 6 ounces per week.
�
i. Values are for Tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico; does not include Atlantic Tilefish, which have approximately 22 mcg of mercury per

4 ounces.
�
*. Seafood variety is included in EPA+DHA value(s) reported.
�
†. Seafood variety is included in mercury value(s) reported.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory, 2010, USDA National Nutrient Database for

Standard Reference, Release 23, Available at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl.
�
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish,” Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/
�
FoodSafety/Product-Specific Information/Seafood/FoodbornePathogensContaminants/Methylmercury/ucm115644.htm.
�
National Marine Fisheries Service. “National Marine Fisheries Service Survey of Trace Elements in the Fishery Resource” Report, 1978.
�
Environmental Protection Agency. “The Occurrence of Mercury in the Fishery Resources of the Gulf of Mexico” Report, 2000.
�

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 12. SELECTED FOOD SOURCES RANKED BY AMOUNTS OF POTASSIUM
AND CALORIES PER STANDARD FOOD PORTION

food

standard
portion size

calories in
standard portiona

Potassium in
standard portion (mg)a

Potato, baked, flesh and skin

1 small potato

128

738

Prune juice, canned

1 cup

182

707

Carrot juice, canned

1 cup

689

Tomato paste

¼ cup

664

Beet greens, cooked

½ cup

654

White beans, canned

½ cup

149

595

Tomato juice, canned

1 cup

556

8 ounces

127–143

531–579

½ cup

549

Sweet potato, baked in skin

1 medium

103

542

Clams, canned

3 ounces

126

534

Plain yogurt, nonfat or lowfat
Tomato puree

Orange juice, fresh
Halibut, cooked
Soybeans, green, cooked
Tuna, yellowfin, cooked
Lima beans, cooked
Soybeans, mature, cooked

1 cup

112

496

3 ounces

119

490

½ cup

127

485

3 ounces

118

484

½ cup

108

478

½ cup

149

443

Rockfish, Pacific, cooked

3 ounces

103

442

Cod, Pacific, cooked

3 ounces

439

Evaporated milk, nonfat
Low-fat (1%) or reduced fat (2%) chocolate milk
Bananas

½ cup

100

425

1 cup

158–190

422–425

1 medium

105

422

Spinach, cooked

½ cup

21–25

370–419

Tomato sauce

½ cup

405

Peaches, dried, uncooked

¼ cup

398

Prunes, stewed

½ cup

133

398

Skim milk (nonfat)
Rainbow trout, cooked
Apricots, dried, uncooked
Pinto beans, cooked
Pork loin, center rib, lean, roasted
Low-fat milk or buttermilk (1%)

1 cup

382

3 ounces

128

381

¼ cup

378

½ cup

122

373

3 ounces

190

371

1 cup

98–102

366–370

Lentils, cooked

½ cup

115

365

Plantains, cooked

½ cup

358

Kidney beans, cooked

½ cup

112

358

a. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory. 2009. USDA National Nutrient Database for
Standard Reference, Release 22. Available at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 13. SELECTED FOOD SOURCES RANKED BY AMOUNTS OF DIETARY FIBER AND
CALORIES PER STANDARD FOOD PORTION

food

standard
portion size

Beans (navy, pinto, black, kidney, white, great
northern, lima), cooked
Bran ready-to-eat cereal (100%)

1/3

Split peas, lentils, chickpeas, or cowpeas, cooked
Artichoke, cooked
Pear
Soybeans, mature, cooked
Plain rye wafer crackers
Bran ready-to-eat cereals (various)
Asian pear
Green peas, cooked
Whole-wheat English muffin

1/3

calories in
dietary fiber in
standard portiona standard portion (g)a

½ cup

104–149

6.2–9.6

cup (about 1 ounce)

9.1

½ cup

108–134

5.6–8.1

½ cup hearts

7.2

1 medium

103

5.5

½ cup

149

5.2

2 wafers

5.0

–¾ cup (about 1 ounce)

88–91

2.6–5.0

1 small

4.4

½ cup

59–67

3.5–4.4

1 muffin

134

4.4

Bulgur, cooked

½ cup

4.1

Mixed vegetables, cooked

½ cup

4.0

½ cup

4.0

1 medium

103

3.8

Raspberries
Sweet potato, baked in skin
Blackberries

½ cup

3.8

Soybeans, green, cooked

½ cup

127

3.8

Prunes, stewed

½ cup

133

3.8

½ cup (about 1 ounce)

95–100

2.7–3.8

¼ cup

3.7

Shredded wheat ready-to-eat cereal
Figs, dried
Apple, with skin

1 small

3.6

Pumpkin, canned

½ cup

3.6

Greens (spinach, collards, turnip greens), cooked

½ cup

14–32

2.5–3.5

1 ounce

163

3.5

½ cup

3.4

Almonds
Sauerkraut, canned

½ cup

3.1

Banana

Whole wheat spaghetti, cooked

1 medium

105

3.1

Orange

1 medium

3.1

Guava

1 fruit

3.0

Potato, baked, with skin

1 small

128

3.0

Oat bran muffin

1 small

178

3.0

Pearled barley, cooked

½ cup

3.0

Dates

¼ cup

104

2.9

Winter squash, cooked

½ cup

2.9

Parsnips, cooked

½ cup

2.8

Tomato paste

¼ cup

2.7

Broccoli, cooked

½ cup

26–27

2.6–2.8

Okra, cooked from frozen

½ cup

2.6

a. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory. 2009. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard
Reference, Release 22. Available at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 14. SELECTED FOOD SOURCES RANKED BY AMOUNTS OF CALCIUM
AND CALORIES PER STANDARD FOOD PORTION

food
Fortified ready-to-eat cereals (various)
Orange juice, calcium fortified
Plain yogurt, nonfat
Romano cheese
Pasteurized process Swiss cheese
Evaporated milk, nonfat
Tofu, regular, prepared with calcium sulfate

standard
portion size
¾–1 cup (about 1 ounce)

calories in
calcium in
standard portiona standard portiona (mg)
100–210

250–1,000

1 cup

117

500

8 ounces

127

452

1½ ounces

165

452

2 ounces

189

438

½ cup

100

371

½ cup

434

Plain yogurt, low-fat

8 ounces

143

415

Fruit yogurt, low-fat

8 ounces

232

345

Ricotta cheese, part skim
Swiss cheese

½ cup

171

337

1½ ounces

162

336

Sardines, canned in oil, drained

3 ounces

177

325

Pasteurized process American cheese food

2 ounces

187

323

Provolone cheese

1½ ounces

149

321

Mozzarella cheese, part-skim

1½ ounces

128

311

Cheddar cheese

1½ ounces

171

307

Low-fat milk (1%)

1 cup

102

305

Muenster cheese

1½ ounces

156

305

Skim milk (nonfat)

1 cup

299

Soymilk, original and vanilla, with added calcium

1 cup

104

299

Reduced fat milk (2%)

1 cup

122

293

Low-fat chocolate milk (1%)

1 cup

158

290

Low-fat buttermilk (1%)

1 cup

284

Rice milk, with added calcium

1 cup

113

283

Whole chocolate milk

1 cup

208

280

Whole milk

1 cup

149

276

Plain yogurt, whole milk

8 ounces

138

275

1 cup

190

272

Ricotta cheese, whole milk

½ cup

216

257

Tofu, firm, prepared with calcium sulfate and
magnesium choloride

½ cup

253

Reduced fat chocolate milk (2%)

a. Data source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory. 2009. USDA National Nutrient Database for
Standard Reference, Release 22. Available at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 15. SELECTED FOOD SOURCES RANKED BY AMOUNTS OF VITAMIN D AND
CALORIES PER STANDARD FOOD PORTION

food

standard
portion size

calories in
standard portiona

vitamin d in
standard portiona,b (mcg)

Salmon, sockeye, cooked

3 ounces

184

19.8

Salmon, smoked

3 ounces

14.5

Salmon, canned

3 ounces

118

11.6

Rockfish, cooked

3 ounces

103

6.5

Tuna, light, canned in oil, drained

3 ounces

168

5.7

1 cup

118

3.4

Sardine, canned in oil, drained

3 ounces

177

4.1

Tuna, light, canned in water, drained

3 ounces

3.8

1 cup

149

3.2

Whole chocolate milk

1 cup

208

3.2

Reduced fat chocolate milk (2%)c

1 cup

190

3.0

Milk (nonfat, 1% and 2%)c

1 cup

83–122

2.9

Low-fat chocolate milk (1%)c

1 cup

158

2.8

Soymilkc

1 cup

104

2.7

Orange juicec

Whole milkc
c

Evaporated milk, nonfat

Flatfish (flounder and sole), cooked
Fortified ready-to-eat cereals (various)

Rice drinkc
Herring, pickled

½ cup

100

2.6

3 ounces

2.5

¾–1¼ cup (about 1 ounce)

92–190

0.9–2.5

1 cup

113

2.4

3 ounces

223

2.4

Pork, cooked (various cuts)

3 ounces

153–337

0.6–2.2

Cod, cooked

3 ounces

1.0

Beef liver, cooked

3 ounces

149

1.0

Cured ham

3 ounces

133–207

0.6–0.8

1 large

0.7

½ cup

0.6

2 slices (about 1½ ounces)

0.5

Egg, hard-boiled
Shiitake mushrooms
Canadian bacon

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

aPPendix 16. GLOSSARY OF TERMS

added sugars—Sugars, syrups, and other caloric
sweeteners that are added to foods during processing, preparation, or consumed separately. Added
sugars do not include naturally occurring sugars such
as those in fruit or milk. Names for added sugars
include: brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup,
dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, glucose,
high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose,
maltose, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar, turbinado
sugar, trehalose, and sucrose.
Body mass index (BMi)—A measure of weight
in kilograms (kg) relative to height in meters (m)
squared. BMI is considered a reasonably reliable
indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk
of disease and death. BMI status categories include
underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese.
Overweight and obese describe ranges of weight
that are greater than what is considered healthy for
a given height, while underweight describes a weight
that is lower than what is considered healthy. Because
children and adolescents are growing, their BMI is
plotted on growth charts for sex and age. The percentile indicates the relative position of the child’s BMI
among children of the same sex and age.
calorie—Unit of (heat) energy available from the
metabolism of food that is required to sustain
the body’s various functions, including metabolic
processes and physical activity. Carbohydrate, fat,
protein, and alcohol provide all of the energy supplied by foods and beverages.
calorie balance—The balance between calories
consumed through eating and drinking and those
expended through physical activity and metabolic
processes.
calorie density—Amount of calories provided per
unit of food weight. Also known as “energy density.”
Foods high in water and/or dietary fiber typically
have fewer calories per gram and are lower in
calorie density, while foods higher in fat are generally higher in calorie density. Calorie density is most
useful when considering the eating pattern in its
entirety. A healthy eating pattern with low calorie
density can include consumption of a small amount
of some calorie-dense foods (such as olive oil and
nuts). An eating pattern low in calorie density is
characterized by a relatively high intake of vegetables, fruit, and dietary fiber and a relatively low

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

intake of total fat, saturated fat, and added sugars.
(See “Nutrient dense.”)
carbohydrates—One of the macronutrients. They
include sugars, starches, and fibers:
• sugars—A simple carbohydrate composed of
one unit (a monosaccharide, such as glucose or
fructose) or two joined units (a disaccharide,
such as lactose or sucrose). Sugars include
those occurring naturally in foods, those added
to foods during processing and preparation, and
those consumed separately.
• starches—Many glucose units linked together
into long chains. Examples of foods containing starch include grains (e.g., brown rice, oats,
wheat, barley, corn), beans and peas (e.g., kidney
beans, garbanzo beans, lentils, split peas), and
tubers (e.g., potatoes, carrots). Refined starches
are added to foods during food processing or
cooking as thickeners and stabilizers. Corn starch
is an example of a refined starch.
• fiber—Nondigestible carbohydrates and lignin
that are intrinsic and intact in plants. Fiber consists of dietary fiber (the fiber naturally occurring
in foods) and functional fiber, which are isolated,
nondigestible carbohydrates that have beneficial
physiological effects in humans.
cardiovascular disease—Diseases of the heart and
diseases of the blood vessel system (arteries, capillaries, veins) within a person’s entire body.
cholesterol—A natural sterol present in all animal
tissues. Free cholesterol is a component of cell
membranes and serves as a precursor for steroid
hormones (estrogen, testosterone, aldosterone),
and for bile acids. Humans are able to synthesize
sufficient cholesterol to meet biologic requirements,
and there is no evidence for a dietary requirement for
cholesterol.
• dietary cholesterol—Cholesterol found in foods
of animal origin, including meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Biologically, a liver
is required to produce cholesterol, thus plant
foods, such as grains, vegetables and fruits, and
oils contain no dietary cholesterol.
• serum cholesterol—Cholesterol that travels in
the blood as part of distinct particles containing

both lipids and proteins (lipoproteins). Three
major classes of lipoproteins are found in the
serum of a fasting individual: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL),
and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL).
Another lipoprotein class, intermediate-density
lipoprotein (IDL), resides between VLDL and
LDL; in clinical practice, IDL is included in the
LDL measurement. Elevated lipid levels in the
blood is known as hyperlipidemia.
cross-contamination—The spread of bacteria,
viruses, or other harmful agents from one surface
to another.
cup equivalent—The amount of a food product that
is considered equal to 1 cup from the vegetable,
fruit, or milk food group. A cup equivalent for some
foods may be less than a measured cup because
the food has been concentrated (such as raisins or
tomato paste), more than a cup for some foods that
are airy in their raw form and do not compress well
into a cup (such as salad greens), or measured in a
different form (such as cheese).
diabetes—A disorder of metabolism—the way the
body uses digested food for growth and energy. In
diabetes, the pancreas either produces little or no
insulin (a hormone that helps glucose, the body’s
main source of fuel, get into cells), or the cells do not
respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced.
The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2,
and gestational diabetes. About 90 to 95 percent
of people with diabetes have type 2. This form of
diabetes is most often associated with older age,
obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and
certain ethnicities. About 80 percent of people with
type 2 diabetes are overweight. Prediabetes, also
called impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose
tolerance, is a state in which blood glucose levels
are higher than normal but not high enough to be
called diabetes.
dietary reference intakes (dris)—A set of
nutrient-based reference values that expand upon
and replace the former Recommended Dietary
Allowances (RDAs) in the United States and the
Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) in Canada.
They include:

• acceptable Macronutrient distribution range
(aMdr)—Range of intake for a particular
energy source that is associated with reduced
risk of chronic disease while providing intakes
of essential nutrients. An intake outside of the
AMDR carries the potential of increased risk of
chronic diseases and/or insufficient intakes of
essential nutrients.
• adequate intake (ai)—A recommended
average daily nutrient intake level based on
observed or experimentally determined approximations or estimates of mean nutrient intake
by a group (or groups) of apparently healthy
people. This is used when the Recommended
Dietary Allowance cannot be determined.
• estimated average requirement (ear)—The
average daily nutrient intake level estimated to
meet the requirement of half the healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group.
• recommended dietary allowance (rda)—The
average dietary intake level that is sufficient to
meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97
to 98%) healthy individuals in a particular life
stage and gender group.
• tolerable upper intake level (ul)—The highest average daily nutrient intake level likely to
pose no risk of adverse health effects for nearly
all individuals in a particular life stage and
gender group. As intake increases above the
UL, the potential risk of adverse health effects
increases.
eating pattern—The combination of foods and
beverages that constitute an individual’s complete
dietary intake over time. This may be a description
of a customary way of eating or a description of a
combination of foods recommended for consumption. Specific examples include USDA Food Patterns,
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
Eating Plan, and Mediterranean, vegetarian, and
vegan patterns.
enrichment—The addition of specific nutrients
(iron, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin) to refined-grain
products in order to replace losses of the nutrients
that occur during processing.
essential nutrient—A vitamin, mineral, fatty acid,
or amino acid required for normal body functioning

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

that either cannot be synthesized by the body at
all, or cannot be synthesized in amounts adequate
for good health, and thus must be obtained from
a dietary source. Other food components, such as
dietary fiber, while not essential, also are considered to be nutrients.
fast food—Foods designed for ready availability, use,
or consumption and sold at eating establishments for
quick availability or take-out. Fast food restaurants
also are known as quick-service restaurants.
fats—One of the macronutrients. (See “Solid Fats”
and “Oils” and Figure 3-3 in Chapter 3.)
• Monounsaturated fatty acids—Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) have one double
bond. Plant sources that are rich in MUFAs
include nuts and vegetable oils that are liquid at
room temperature (e.g., canola oil, olive oil, and
high oleic safflower and sunflower oils).
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids—Polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFAs) have two or more double
bonds and may be of two types, based on the
position of the first double bond.
– omega-6 Pufas—Linoleic acid, one of the
n-6 fatty acids, is required but cannot be
synthesized by humans and, therefore, is
considered essential in the diet. Primary
sources are liquid vegetable oils, including
soybean oil, corn oil, and safflower oil. Also
called n-6 fatty acids.
– omega-3 Pufas—Alpha-linolenic acid is
an n-3 fatty acid that is required because it
is not synthesized by humans and, therefore, is considered essential in the diet. It
is obtained from plant sources, including
soybean oil, canola oil, walnuts, and flaxseed.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are long chain n-3
fatty acids that are contained in fish and
shellfish. Also called n-3 fatty acids.
• saturated fatty acids—Saturated fatty acids
have no double bonds. Examples include the
fatty acids found in animal products, such as
meat, milk and milk products, hydrogenated
shortening, and coconut or palm oils. In general,
foods with relatively high amounts of saturated
fatty acids are solid at room temperature.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

• trans fatty acids—Unsaturated fatty acids that
contain one or more isolated double bonds
in a trans configuration produced by chemical hydrogenation. Sources of trans fatty acids
include hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated
vegetable oils that are used to make shortening
and commercially prepared baked goods, snack
foods, fried foods, and margarine. Trans fatty
acids also are present in foods that come from
ruminant animals (e.g., cattle and sheep). Such
foods include dairy products, beef, and lamb.
fightBac!®—A national public education campaign
to promote food safety to consumers and educate
them on how to handle and prepare food safely.
In this campaign, pathogens are represented by a
cartoonlike bacteria character named “BAC.”
food security—Access by all people at all times to
enough food for an active, healthy life. Food security
includes, at a minimum: (a) the ready availability
of nutritionally adequate and safe foods; and (b) an
assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially
acceptable ways (e.g., without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other
coping strategies).
food insecurity—The limited or uncertain availability
of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or uncertain
ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. Hunger is defined as the uneasy or painful
sensation caused by a lack of food, or the recurrent
and involuntary lack of access to food.
foodborne disease—Disease caused by consuming
foods or beverages contaminated with diseasecausing bacteria or viruses. Many different diseasecausing microbes, or pathogens, can contaminate
foods, so there are many different foodborne infections. In addition, poisonous chemicals, or other
harmful substances, can cause foodborne diseases
if they are present in food. The most commonly
recognized foodborne infections are those caused
by the bacteria Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli
O157:H7, and by a group of viruses called calicivirus,
also known as the Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses.
fortification—The addition of one or more essential nutrients to a food, whether or not it is normally contained in the food. Fortification may be
used for the purpose of preventing or correcting a

deficiency in the population or specific population
groups; to restore naturally occurring nutrients
lost during processing, storage, or handling; or
to increase the nutrient level above that found in
comparable food and to serve as a meaningful
source of the specific nutrient.
hypertension—A condition, also known as high
blood pressure, in which blood pressure remains
elevated over time. Hypertension makes the heart
work too hard, and the high force of the blood flow
can harm arteries and organs, such as the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes. Uncontrolled hypertension can
lead to heart attacks, heart failure, kidney disease,
stroke, and blindness. Prehypertension is defined as
blood pressure that is higher than normal but not
high enough to be defined as hypertension.
Macronutrient—A dietary component that provides
energy. Macronutrients include protein, fats, carbohydrates, and alcohol.
nutrient dense—Nutrient-dense foods and beverages provide vitamins, minerals, and other substances that may have positive health effects, with
relatively few calories. The term “nutrient dense”
indicates the nutrients and other beneficial substances in a food have not been “diluted” by the
addition of calories from added solid fats, added
sugars, or added refined starches, or by the solid
fats naturally present in the food. Nutrient-dense
foods and beverages are lean or low in solid fats,
and minimize or exclude added solid fats, sugars,
starches, and sodium. Ideally, they also are in forms
that retain naturally occurring components, such
as dietary fiber. All vegetables, fruits, whole grains,
seafood, eggs, beans and peas, unsalted nuts and
seeds, fat-free and low-fat milk and milk products,
and lean meats and poultry—when prepared without
solid fats or added sugars—are nutrient-dense foods.
(See “Calorie density.”)
oils—Fats that are liquid at room temperature. Oils
come from many different plants and from seafood.
Some common oils include canola, corn, olive,
peanut, safflower, soybean, and sunflower oils. A
number of foods are naturally high in oils, such as
nuts, olives, some fish, and avocados. Foods that are
mainly oil include mayonnaise, certain salad dressings, and soft (tub or squeeze) margarine with no
trans fats. Most oils are high in monounsaturated or

polyunsaturated fats, and low in saturated fats. A few
plant oils, including coconut oil and palm kernel oil,
are high in saturated fats and for nutritional purposes
should be considered solid fats. Hydrogenated oils
that contain trans fats also should be considered
solid fats for nutritional purposes. (See “Fats” and
Figure 3-3 in Chapter 3.)
ounce-equivalent (oz-eq)—The amount of a food
product that is considered equal to 1 ounce from
the grain group or the protein foods group. An
oz-eq for some foods may be less than a measured
ounce if the food is concentrated or low in water
content (nuts, peanut butter, dried meats, or flour),
more than an ounce if the food contains a large
amount of water (tofu, cooked beans, cooked rice,
or cooked pasta).
Portion size—The amount of a food served or
consumed in one eating occasion. A portion is not
a standardized amount, and the amount considered to be a portion is subjective and varies. (See
“Serving size.”)
Protein—One of the macronutrients. Protein is the
major functional and structural component of every
cell in the body. Proteins are composed of amino
acids, nine of which cannot be synthesized to meet
the body’s needs and therefore must be obtained
from the diet. The quality of a source of dietary
protein depends on its ability to provide the nitrogen
and amino acid requirements that are necessary for
the body’s growth, maintenance, and repair.
refined grains—Grains and grain products missing
the bran, germ, and/or endosperm; any grain product
that is not a whole grain. Many refined grains are low
in fiber and enriched with thiamin, riboflavin, niacin,
and iron, and fortified with folic acid as required by
U.S. regulations.
seafood—Marine animals that live in the sea and in
freshwater lakes and rivers. Seafood includes fish,
such as salmon, tuna, trout, and tilapia, and shellfish,
such as shrimp, crab, and oysters.
serving size—A standardized amount of a food,
such as a cup or an ounce, used in providing information about a food within a food group, such as in
dietary guidance. Serving size on the Nutrition Facts
label is determined based on the Reference Amounts

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

Customarily Consumed (RACC) for foods that have
similar dietary usage, product characteristics, and customarily consumed amounts for consumers to make
“like product” comparisons. (See “Portion size.”)
solid fats—Fats that are usually not liquid at room
temperature. Solid fats are found in most animal
foods but also can be made from vegetable oils
through hydrogenation. Some common solid fats
include: butter, beef fat (tallow, suet), chicken fat,
pork fat (lard), stick margarine, coconut oil, palm
oil, and shortening. Foods high in solid fats include:
full-fat (regular) cheese, cream, whole milk, ice
cream, well-marbled cuts of meats, regular ground
beef, bacon, sausages, poultry skin, and many
baked goods (such as cookies, crackers, donuts,
pastries, and croissants). Solid fats contain more
saturated fatty acids and/or trans fatty acids, and

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010

less monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids
than do most oils, which are liquid at room temperature. (See “Fats” and Figure 3-3 in Chapter 3.)
sugar-sweetened beverages—Liquids that are
sweetened with various forms of sugars that add
calories. These beverages include, but are not limited
to, soda, fruit ades and fruit drinks, and sports and
energy drinks.
whole grains—Grains and grain products made
from the entire grain seed, usually called the kernel,
which consists of the bran, germ, and endosperm.
If the kernel has been cracked, crushed, or flaked,
it must retain nearly the same relative proportions
of bran, germ, and endosperm as the original grain
in order to be called whole grain. Many, but not all,
whole grains are also a source of dietary fiber.

Notes
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