Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These recommendations promote good health through diet and activity—while helping to reduce the risk for disease.

The Dietary Guidelines are used as the basis of the new food pyramid, MyPyramid. An essential tool for putting the Guidelines into action, the Pyramid has six color bands representing the various food groups—along with a person climbing steps up the side of the Pyramid to highlight the importance of daily physical activity. Get personalized MyPyramid recommendations here.

In addition to staying within your daily caloric needs, staying active and limiting fat, sugar and salt, a key message from both the Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid is to eat a variety of foods from each food group. Here are some ideas for meeting that (amounts are based on a 2,000 calorie diet):

• Focus on fruits — 2 cups per day. Eat a variety, like bananas, berries and melons.
• Vary your veggies — 2¹/₂ cups per day. Eat a variety, especially of dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, beans and peas.
• Get your calcium-rich foods — 3 cups per day, like low-fat, yogurt and cheese.
• Make half your grains whole — eat at least 3 oz. of whole grains daily. Choose whole-grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice or pasta every day.
• Go lean with protein — choose lean meats and poultry, as well as beans.

Would you like to learn more? Visit campbellwellness.com