Figure %: Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL)

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been published every five years since 1980 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Their purpose is to provide the basis for federal nutrition policy and nutrition education activities, and they offer advice as to food choices that promote health and prevent disease in Americans ages two and older.

The 2000 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are:

1) Aim for Fitness: Aim for a healthy weight Be physically active each day Let the food pyramid guide your food choices (see below) 2) Build a Healthy Base: Choose a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables daily Keep food safe to eat 3) Choose Sensibly: Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars Choose and prepare foods with less salt If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation

Food Guide Pyramid

The Food Guide Pyramid was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help Americans choose foods from each food grouping. The focus of the pyramid is on fat, which most Americans over-consume. The base of the pyramid comprises foods that should be consumed in the greatest quantity; the top of the pyramid comprises foods that should be consumed sparingly.

Starting from base to top, the food groups and number of servings that should be consumed daily are as follows:

Breads, Cereal, Rice, Pasta: 6-11 servings Vegetables: 3-5 servings Fruit: 2-4 servings Meat, Poultry, Fish, Beans, Eggs, Nuts: 2-3 servings Milk, Yogurt, Cheese: 2-3 servings Fats, Oils, Sweets: Use sparingly

Healthy People 2000

Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives is a national preventive strategy for improving the health of Americans. The Secretary of Health and Human Services submits the guidelines to Congress. Reports are compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Centers for Disease Control. The guidelines have three major goals and 319 objectives. The three goals are: to increase the span of a healthy life; to decrease health disparities; and to achieve access to preventive services for everyone. One or more agencies of the U.S. Public Health Service are designated to coordinate the activities.