Why are the Dietary Guidelines important?
The Dietary Guidelines help Americans make smart choices about food and physical activity, so they can have healthier lives. Through the Dietary Guidelines, government speaks with one voice to the public when presenting advice about proper dietary habits for healthy Americans ages two years of age and older, and how to make food and physical activity choices to promote health and prevent chronic disease. All federal dietary guidance for the public is required to be consistent with the Dietary Guidelines. The Dietary Guidelines provide the foundation for food and nutrition policy and the government’s position for debating standards and international reports. They influence the direction of government nutrition programs, including research, labeling, and nutrition promotion. This includes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Guidance System – what was once known as the Food Guide Pyramid. Federal nutrition assistance programs such as USDA’s School Meal and Food Stamp Programs
