What Is a Nutrition Guide?

Nutrition Guide provides dietary advice for people who want to make healthy eating easy and fun. It divides foods into categories and recommends servings of each. It may also include other nutritional information, such as calories, protein, fats and carbohydrates. Nutrition guides may be published by government agencies, health associations and university health departments, or they may be part of food labels found on packaged foods. They are usually presented in a visual format, such as the Eatwell Guide (United Kingdom) and the Food Circle model used in Iceland.

Nutrition is important for everyone, but it’s especially critical for children and adolescents because they are still developing. A balanced diet helps them develop strong, healthy bones, muscles and organs. It also gives them the energy they need to grow and play. For these reasons, it’s important for parents to teach their children healthy eating habits from the start.

Although the exact makeup of each person’s dietary intake will vary slightly, most healthy eating patterns are rich in nutrient-dense foods and low in highly processed foods. This dietary pattern can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

A nutrition guide can be an effective tool for public health programs and for individuals looking to improve their own diets. For example, the USDA’s MyPlate encourages people to fill half of their plate with whole grains and vegetables, a quarter with proteins such as meat and beans, and a final quarter with dairy. It also recommends limiting added sugars, choosing beverages low in sodium, and getting enough fiber.

The nutrition guidelines provided in this publication reflect today’s best scientific advice for promoting health, preventing disease and maintaining or losing weight Personal Trainer San Diego. They are based on the relationship between diet and health in men and women of all ages, from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, who are healthy or at risk for chronic diseases. The science that informs the Dietary Guidelines includes research from a wide variety of sources, including clinical trials, community-based studies and systematic reviews.

While the dietary recommendations contained in this document are important for most people, they are not intended to replace the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.

A registered dietitian can provide personalized, individualized dietary guidance. Learn more about the role of a registered dietitian and how to find one in your area.