The document discusses the 2015-2020 US Dietary Guidelines. It recommends establishing a healthy eating pattern that focuses on variety, includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy and protein, and limits saturated fats, added sugars and sodium. Specific guidelines include consuming less than 10% of daily calories from added sugars and saturated fats, and less than 2300mg of sodium. It also provides daily recommended amounts for fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein. An example compares the nutritional content of a Big Mac versus grilled chicken wrap from fast food restaurants.

1. Nutrition
A closer look at the U.S. recommended Daily Guidelines
for nutrition

2. Why Nutrition?
• About half of all Americans (177 million individuals) have
one or more preventable chronic diseases. Many of these
diseases are related to poor eating habits and/or physical
inactivity.
• Preventable chronic diseases include:
– Cardiovascular disease
– High blood pressure
– Type 2 diabetes
– Some cancers
– Poor bone health

3. Dietary Guidelines
• The 2015-202 Dietary Guidelines translates science into
easy-to-understand food-based guidance to assist
Americans make healthy and enjoyable food choices.
• These guidelines are not intended to be used to treat
diseases.
• Often used and adapted by healthcare professionals to
encourage healthy eating patterns among patients.

4. Dietary Guidelines - Key Recommendations
• Establish a healthy eating
pattern that includes:
– A variety of vegetables
– Fruits
– Whole grains
– Fat-free or low-fat dairy
– A variety of protein
– Oils
• Limit:
– Saturated fats and trans fats
– Added sugars
– Sodium
• Quantitative guidelines:
– Consume less than 10% of calories
per day from added sugars
– Consume less than 10% of calories
per day from saturated fats
– Consume less than 2,300
milligrams per day of sodium
– Consume alcohol in moderation:
• Up to one drink per day for women
• Up to two drinks per day for men
• Alcohol should only be consumed by
adults of legal drinking age

5. Fruits
• Includes whole fruits and 100% fruit juice
– Fresh
– Canned
– Frozen
– Dried
• Recommended to eat 2 cup-equivalents
per day
• Consume only 100% fruit juice, without
added sugars
• At least half of the recommended amount
of fruits should come from whole fruits
Recommended daily value based on a
2,000 calorie per day diet

6. Vegetables
• Includes vegetables from all five
subgroups – dark green, red and orange,
legumes (beans and peas), starchy, and
other
– Fresh
– Frozen
– Canned
– Dried
• Recommended to eat 2 ½ cup-equivalents
per day
• Vegetables choices over time should vary
and include many different vegetables
• Avoid additions such as salt, butter, or
creamy sauces
Recommended daily value based on a
2,000 calorie per day diet

7. Grains
• Should include whole grains
– Brown rice, quinoa, and oats
• Limit intake of refined grains and
products made with refined
grains
– Processed to remove bran and germ,
which removes dietary fiber, iron,
and other nutrients
• Recommended intake is 6 ounce-
equivalents per day
– At least half of this should be of
whole grains
Recommended daily value based on a
2,000 calorie per day diet

8. Dairy
• Healthy eating patterns include
fat-free and low-fat (1%) dairy
– Milk, yogurt, cheese, or fortified soy
beverages
– Does not include “milks” made
from plants (e.g. almond milk)
• Recommended intake is based on
age, not calorie level
– Children ages 2-3: 2 cup equivalents
– Children ages 4-8: 2 ½ cup
equivalents
– Adolescents ages 9-18 and adults: 3
cup equivalents
Recommended daily value based on a
2,000 calorie per day diet

9. Protein Foods
• This group includes a broad group
of foods from both plant and animal
sources
– Seafood
– Meats, poultry, and eggs
– Nuts, seeds, and soy products
• Other sources of protein
– Legumes and protein found in foods
such as dairy
• Recommendation is 5 ½ ounce-
equivalents per day
Recommended daily value based on a
2,000 calorie per day diet

10. Oils
• Not technically a food group
• Emphasized as part of a healthy diet
because they are the major source of
essential fatty acids and vitamin E
• Can include:
– Canola, corn, olive, peanut, safflower, soybean,
and sunflower oil
• This group also includes oils found in:
– Nuts, seeds, seafood, olives, and avocados
• This group does not include:
– Coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and palm oil
• The recommendation is 27g (about 5
teaspoons) per day
Recommended daily value based on a
2,000 calorie per day diet

11. Fast Food Comparison: know what’s in your meal
Big Mac
Grilled
Chicken Wrap
Calories 540 350
Total fat 28g 14g
Saturated fat 10g 4g
Sodium 950mg 960mg
Total Carb 46g 29g
Sugars 9g 3g
Protein 25g 37g
Continued…

12. …Fast Food Comparison: know what’s in your meal
• Not only does the Big Mac have more calories than the Grilled Chicken Wrap
(540 vs. 350), it also has significantly more fats (including saturated fats) and
sugars.
• The recommended daily intake of sodium is less than or equal to 2,300mg.
Both meals are on the higher end of sodium content, but neither goes
beyond the daily recommended amount. Keep in mind this is just one meal.
• Calories from saturated fats should be less than 10% of total calories.
– Big Mac: 16.7% of calories in the Big Mac are from saturated fats
– Chicken wrap: 11.4% of calories in the chicken wrap are from saturated fats
• Calories from added sugar should be less than 10% of total calories
– Big Mac: 6.7% of calories in the Big Mac are from sugar
– Chicken wrap: 3.4% of calories in the chicken wrap are from sugar

13. Resources
• Health.gov. (2017). Dietary Guidelines. Retrieved from:
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/
• MyFitnessPal. (n.d.). Nutrition Facts: Calories in
McDonald’s hamburger big mac. Retrieved from:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/482966896
• MyFitnessPal. (n.d.). Nutrition Facts: Calories in a chick fila
grilled chicken wrap. Retrieved from:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/458883182