Dietary guidelines are the foundation of healthy eating. They recommend eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grain cereals, and lean meats. These guidelines also suggest that you limit your intake of refined sugars and processed foods. To stay away from dietary boredom, you should also eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Aim to include no more than 10 percent of your calories from added sugars.
Dietary guidelines have evolved over the years to reflect new science. While the old guidelines were based on individual nutrients and food groups, today’s guidelines incorporate information that is more recent. The USDA recommends eating 48 percent of your daily calories from complex carbohydrates, and limiting your refined sugars to 10 percent. Fat intake should be reduced from around 40 percent to 30%. The guidelines are not a replacement for proper health care, but rather an aid to the process of achieving a healthy weight.
To lose weight and keep it off, eating more healthy foods is the key. A diet high in saturated fats, protein, and carbohydrates can increase the risk of heart disease and other illnesses. You should aim to consume less than 35 percent of your daily calories from fat. Aim to reduce your sodium intake to less than 1,500 milligrams, and limit trans fat to less than five grams per day. Finally, don’t forget to limit the amount of alcohol and sugar you consume.
