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Food for Thought: The Relationship Between Oral Health and Nutrition
Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Course Author(s): Diane Vernetti-Callahan, RDH, MS Ed

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The Dietary Guidelines focuses on the recommendations to help Americans make choices that equate to an overall healthy eating pattern. Combine healthy choices from across all food groups—while paying attention to calorie limits, too.9

Key Elements of Healthy Eating Patterns.9
  1. Follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan. All food and beverage choices matter. Choose a healthy eating pattern at an appropriate calorie level to help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, support nutrient adequacy, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
  2. Focus on variety, nutrient density, and amount. To meet nutrient needs within calorie limits, choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within all food groups in recommended amounts.
  3. Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats and reduce sodium intake. Consume an eating pattern low in added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Cut back on foods and beverages higher in these components to amounts that fit within healthy eating patterns.
  4. Shift to healthier food and beverage choices. Choose nutrient-dense foods and beverages across and within all food groups in place of less healthy choices. Consider cultural and personal preferences to make these shifts easier to accomplish and maintain.
  5. Support healthy eating patterns for all. Everyone has a role in helping to create and support healthy eating patterns in multiple settings nationwide, from home to school to work to communities.
Figure 5. Healthy Eating Patterns.9
Healthy Eating Patterns
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