Most of us want to eat a healthy diet, but just don’t know what we
should be eating. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set forth
dietary guidelines for us to follow in order to meet our nutrient requirements
to stay healthy. They recommend that we eat more fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, and low-fat dairy products and avoid eating foods that are high in
sugar, salt, and fat in order to stay healthy. By sticking to their guidelines
this will help us maintain a healthy body weight and avoid many of the chronic
illnesses associated with obesity such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The
four major areas that are recommended by the USDA to help meet these guidelines
include: balancing calories to manage weight, reducing your intake of certain
unhealthy foods, increasing nutritious foods, and developing healthy eating
patterns (Sizer & Whitney, 2012, p.35). Following these guidelines requires
a lot of work and dedication in the beginning, but once you make these changes
a life style these habits will become second nature.
Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2012). Nutrition:
Concepts and Controversies, MyPlate Update (12th ed.). Mason,
OH: Cengage Learning.
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