EXTENSION NEWS
Every five years, nutrition gets a makeover. New headlines pop up, social media debates begin, and it can seem like the rules for healthy eating have changed yet again. If you’re wondering whether you should still be following My-Plate or if there’s a new pyramid to learn, you’re not alone. While the illustrations have certainly changed over the years, the purpose of the Dietary Guidelines has remained the same: to provide evidence-based recommendations that help Americans make healthy food choices. In this article series, we’ll unpack the newest guidance, starting with what the Dietary Guidelines actually are and why this upside-down pyramid is getting so much attention.
What are Dietary Guidelines? Food based dietary guidelines are recommendations regarding specific nutritional principles based on current evidence and over 100 countries around the world have them! The goal is truly to promote human health and reduce chronic disease in their specific country. These guidelines typically use visual tools to make it easier for audiences to understand. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are created by the United States Department of Agriculture as well as the Department of Health and Human Services. They are written every five years and utilize a scientific advisory committee to review current nutrition research.
