Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released earlier this year, advise people to:

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

2. Consume at least half of all grains as whole grains. Increase whole-grain intake by replacing refined grains with whole grains.

3. Increase the amounts of fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese and fortified soy beverages.

4. Use oils to replace solid fats where possible.

5. Consume fewer calories from solid fats (butter, margarine) and added sugars.

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

7. Reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams for many people and further reduce intake to 1,500 milligrams for people who are 51 and older and those of any age who are African American or have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.