Dietary Guidelines for Americans - SchoolNutritionAndFitness.com

aPPendix 2. KEY CONSUMER BEHAVIORS AND POTENTIAL STRATEGIES FORPROFESSIONALS TO USE IN IMPLEMENTING THE 2010 DIETARY GUIDELINESThe Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 includesrecommendations based on the most recentevidence-based review of nutrition science. Twooverarching concepts emerge from these recommendations:maintain calorie balance to achieveand sustain a healthy weight; and focus on nutrientdensefoods and beverages. Brief descriptions ofthese concepts are provided to the right.Health professionals, educators, policymakers, andother professionals will use the Dietary Guidelines forAmericans, 2010 to help the American public leadhealthy lives. This section, which includes a table ofkey consumer behaviors and potential strategies, or“how-tos,” is designed to assist these professionalsas they encourage healthy habits. For practicalpurposes, this table is organized by 12 specific topicareas (calorie intake, physical activity, vegetables,fruits, milk and milk products, protein foods, grains,oils and fats, added sugars, sodium, alcohol, andfood safety).the strategies presented in the table are notevidence-based recommendations. they are presentedas helpful hints that could be tailoredfor different individuals or groups.When working with consumers, professionalsshould draw from research and use theory-basedapproaches when possible. Ultimately, successfulconsumer messages will vary based on the targetaudience and should be tested with the specifictarget audience before use. Therefore, the potentialstrategies in the following table are intended tobe a conceptual starting point for further messagedevelopment and not a definitive or comprehensiveresource.overarching concePtsMaintain calorie balance to achieve andsustain a healthy weightControl total calorie intake to manage bodyweight. For most people, this will meanconsuming fewer calories by making informedfood and beverage choices. Increase physicalactivity and reduce time spent in sedentarybehaviors.focus on nutrient-dense foods and beveragesIncrease intake of foods that are consumedbelow recommended amounts. For mostpeople, this means choosing more vegetables,fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milkand milk products, seafood, and oils.Reduce intake of foods and food componentsconsumed in excessive amounts. For mostpeople, this means consuming fewer foodsand beverages high in solid fats (sources ofsaturated and trans fatty acids), added sugars,and sodium (i.e., consume these foods andbeverages less often and in small amounts).If alcohol is consumed at all, it should beconsumed in moderation and only by adults oflegal drinking age.DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS, 2010 62