Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as
developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, emphasize balance and moderation.
- Eat a variety of foods
- Maintain desirable weight
- Avoid too much fat, saturated
fat, and cholesterol
- Eat foods with adequate starch
and fiber
- Avoid too much sugar
- Avoid too much sodium
- If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation
Preparing
foods in the Dietary Guidelines style doesn't mean eliminating all fat,
sugars (refers to granulated sugar and other sweeteners such as syrups,
honey, and molasses), and sodium, it just means avoiding too much.
Balance is the key! Balance the foods that tend to be high in fat,
sugars, or sodium with other foods that contain less of these
components. If you tend to prepare foods that are high in fat, sugars,
or sodium, gradually begin to reduce the amounts of these items added to
your foods.
By using
a few simple techniques in your food preparation routine, you can:
-
Decrease calories if you need to lose
weight
-
Avoid too much fat, saturated fat,
and cholesterol
-
Increase starch and dietary fiber
-
Avoid too much sugar and other
sweeteners
-
Avoid too much salt and other
sodium-containing ingredients
Cutting
back on fat, sugars, and sodium in your diet, and using less of these
items in food preparation is one important way to reach your goal.
Disclaimer:
The information provided by this service is intended to serve as a
recommendation for people who desire to learn more about health,
fitness, nutrition, and taking care of their bodies. Before beginning
any vitamin program, always consult your doctor. Certain conditions may
restrict some individuals from taking vitamins, so be sure to clear
yourself with your doctor.
