Release of the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines

Every five years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly publish a report on nutritional and dietary information and guidelines for the public. Recently, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines were released. The Dietary Guidelines are designed to help all individuals consume a healthy, nutritionally adequate diet. The detailed document is a lengthy read, but don’t worry -- we have summarized the key messages in the report.

• Follow a healthy eating pattern. Instead of focusing on specific nutrients, it recommends focusing on your eating pattern as a whole. The report notes that all food choices matter. Aim to consume a healthy diet at an appropriate calorie level to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic disease. The Dietary Guidelines describe a healthy eating pattern as one that includes a variety of fruit and vegetables, grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy and protein foods such as poultry, eggs, lean meats, seafood, legumes, nuts, seeds and oils.
• Focus on variety, nutrient density and amount. The Dietary Guidelines recommend choosing a variety of nutrient-dense foods across all food groups. Nutrient-dense foods contain essential vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber and phytochemicals.
• Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats and reduce sodium intake. The report recommends limiting foods and beverages that are high in sugar, fat and sodium. Specific recommendations are to consume less than 10 percent of calories per day from added sugars, less than 10 percent of calories per day from saturated fat and less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day.
• Shift to healthier food and beverage choices. The typical eating patterns of most people do not align with the Dietary Guidelines. The report notes that about three-fourths of the population has an eating pattern that is too low in vegetables, fruits, dairy and oils, and too high in saturated fat, added sugar and sodium. Choose nutrient-dense foods and beverages across all food groups in place of less healthy options. Every food choice is an opportunity to move toward a healthy eating pattern. Small shifts in food choices can make a big difference.

Since their release, the Dietary Guidelines have been under scrutiny by health professionals. Some argue that the guidelines did not go far enough with their recommendations; the adverse health effects of consuming red and processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages were not included. 

Bottom Line: The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines emphasize healthy eating patterns that include a variety of nutrient-dense foods and limit saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. Although the guidelines do not advise reducing the consumption of red and processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which reviewed the scientific evidence, did recommend the reduction of these foods.

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