Which of the following guidelines is part of the US Dietary Guidelines?

January 5, 2026 •

2 min read

Updated every five years, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides evidence-based nutritional advice to promote health and prevent chronic disease. Knowing which of the following guidelines is part of the US Dietary Guidelines can help you make healthier food choices and build a better diet.

Quick Summary

The US Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting calories from added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium, while emphasizing nutrient-dense foods across all food groups.

Key Points

Limit Added Sugars: The guidelines recommend keeping added sugar intake below 10% of total daily calories for most individuals.
Reduce Saturated Fat: Intake of saturated fat should be less than 10% of total daily calories, replacing it with unsaturated fats where possible.
Control Sodium Intake: Limit daily sodium consumption to less than 2,300 milligrams, primarily by reducing processed foods and added salt.
Emphasize Nutrient-Dense Foods: The guidelines promote an eating pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy.
Customize Your Diet: Dietary patterns can be personalized to fit individual preferences, cultural traditions, and budget, while still meeting nutritional needs.
Eat Across the Lifespan: Healthy eating is encouraged from infancy through older adulthood, with recommendations tailored to each life stage.

Core Guidelines of the US Dietary Guidelines

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are updated every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The current 2020-2025 guidelines offer four main recommendations for healthy eating patterns throughout life. These guidelines focus on overall eating patterns rather than just individual nutrients.

Follow a Healthy Dietary Pattern at Every Life Stage

Healthy eating is essential throughout life, from infancy to older adulthood. The DGA provides tailored guidance for each stage, including recommendations for infant feeding and nutrition during pregnancy.

Customize and Enjoy Nutrient-Dense Food and Beverage Choices

The guidelines recognize that healthy eating can be personalized based on preferences, culture, and budget. The DGA offers a flexible framework to help individuals choose nutrient-dense foods they enjoy.

Focus on Meeting Food Group Needs with Nutrient-Dense Foods

It's important to consume foods from all major food groups: vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein foods. The guidelines emphasize variety within these groups, such as eating different types of vegetables.

Limit Foods and Beverages Higher in Added Sugars, Saturated Fat, and Sodium

This guideline is critical for reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The DGA recommends specific limits for added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. A comparison of foods to emphasize versus foods to limit can be found on {Link: FAO website https://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/united-states-of-america/en/}.

Conclusion

The US Dietary Guidelines provide a flexible, evidence-based approach to healthy eating. The key is to follow a healthy pattern throughout life, personalize food choices, focus on nutrient-dense foods, and limit added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Adhering to these principles can improve health and prevent chronic diseases. For complete information, refer to the official government guidelines.

Guidelines for Limiting Added Sugars, Saturated Fat, and Sodium

Detailed guidance on limiting added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium according to the DGA can be found on {Link: FAO website https://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/united-states-of-america/en/}. This includes specific daily calorie limits for added sugars and saturated fat for those 2 and older, and sodium limits for most people.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose is to provide evidence-based nutrition advice to promote health, prevent chronic diseases, and guide federal food and nutrition programs.

The Dietary Guidelines are updated and published every five years jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

For individuals age 2 and older, the recommendation is to limit calories from added sugars to less than 10% of total daily calories. For children under 2, foods with added sugars should be avoided.

The guidelines suggest limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day for most people, with lower recommendations for children under 14.

Consumption of saturated fat should be limited to less than 10% of total daily calories for individuals age 2 and older.

MyPlate is a food icon developed by the USDA that serves as a visual reminder to help people make healthier food choices by emphasizing the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy.

No, a healthy eating pattern allows for flexibility. It focuses on balancing food choices by emphasizing nutrient-dense foods while limiting foods higher in added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. All foods can fit within a healthy dietary pattern.