2011 Dietary Guidelines

The new guidelines point out that obesity is the No.1 public health nutrition problem in the U.S. and actually give good advice about what to do about it: eat less and eat better. For the first time, the guidelines make it clear that eating less  has its priority. 

Balancing Calories

    • Enjoy your food, but eat less. 

    • Avoid oversized portions. 

Foods to Increase

     • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

    • Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk.

Foods to Reduce

    • Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals—and choose the foods with lower numbers.

    • Drink water instead of sugary drinks.