In a Nutshell In a Nutshell
• The Dietary Guidelines for Americans can help you choose a nutritious diet and
healthful lifestyle.
• The Dietary Guidelines focus on: healthy eating patterns, foods to increase, foods
and nutrients to reduce, weight management, and food safety.
• Many people in the United States eat too many calories and too much fat,
cholesterol, sugar, and sodium.
• Many people in the United States eat too few whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• MyPlate is a tool that reminds you to build a healthy plate at mealtime.
• The fi ve food groups are grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and protein foods.
• The grains group is a rich source of starch, fi ber, thiamin, ribofl avin, niacin,
folic acid, and iron.
• The vegetable group and the fruit group provide fi ber, vitamin A, vitamin C,
folic acid, iron, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals.
• The dairy group provides calcium, vitamin D, and protein.
• The protein foods group supplies protein, B-vitamins, iron, and zinc.
• The amount of food you need from each of the food groups depends on your age,
gender, and activity level.
Word Wise
1. Write each of the following terms on a separate sheet of paper. For each term, quickly
write a word you think relates to the term. Form small groups. Gather all the papers
from the group members and organize into a separate pile for each term. As a group,
select a pile and review the list of words submitted for that term. Use these words to
create a “group defi nition.” Repeat this process for each pile until all the terms have a
“group defi nition.” Share your group defi nitions with the class.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
nutrient-dense foods
empty-calorie foods
MyPlate
Chapter 3 Your Nutrition Toolbox 67
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