** Please click on food group icon to get detailed information on the daily requirements of the group.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005, gives science-based advice on food and physical activity choices for health. To see the full 80-page Dietary Guidelines report, click here.

What is a "Healthy Diet"?

The Dietary Guidelines describe a healthy diet as one that

* Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products;
* Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and
* Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

The recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines and in MyPyramid are for the general public over 2 years of age.

MyPyramid is not a therapeutic diet for any specific health condition. Individuals with a chronic health condition should consult with a health care provider to determine what dietary pattern is appropriate for them.

Even though calories do count, what really matters is the "QUALITY" of the calories we are eating and NOT so much the amount of calories we eat.

Below is a list of topics that will take you in deeper into nutrition, please feel free to look through them as some of the information is directly related on how your body process's nutrients and performs.

Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
Water
Alcohol
Fiber
Discretionary Calories
Food Label Reading
Food Sources of Selected Nutrients
Vitamins & Minerals
Sports Nutrition
Tips & Resources

Articles on nutrition can be found in the forum.