The New 2010 Dietary Guidelines

Every 5 years, the American USDA issues dietary guidelines. The 2010 version just came out, and there are not a lot of surprises.

On the positive side, the new guidlines suggest that we limit solid fats, added sugars, salt and refined grains - all excellent suggestions.

For the first time, this version of the guidelines aims at general eating patterns and health effects, with a focus on two major themes:

• Eating the proper amount of calories to maintain a healthy weight
• Getting most calories from nutrition-rich foods

There is the ever present suggestion to eat more fruits and vegetables, which is no news to anyone by this time.

The 2010 version of the dietary guideline are an improvement on the last revision, in 2005, and I think they are worth a look.