Health Topics for Nutrition

A guide to good eating

Every day new ideas are revealed for what and how we should eat. These range from oat bran to prevent heart disease to the latest cabbage diet for weight loss. There are lots of food and diet recommendations in the marketplace today, but how does one know if they are correct and reliable?

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines offer the best advice to follow. They are based on the opinions of dozens of nutrition experts from across the nation. To maintain health and help prevent disease, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines make the following recommendations:

• eat a variety of foods by choosing a diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• choose a diet low in cholesterol, low in saturated fats, and low in foods made with shortening
• use cooking oil made of monounsaturated fats such as olive and canola oils
• choose a diet moderate in sodium and salt
• balance the food you eat with daily physical activity
• if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation (Women should have no more than 1 drink per day. Men should have no more than 2 drinks per day. Avoid drinking when driving, or whenever it puts you or others at risk.)

If you follow these guidelines, you will usually not need additional vitamins, minerals, or supplements. The exception to this is the case of a medical condition that does not allow taking in or absorbing enough nutrients, or where nutritional needs are very high. Examples include:

• vitamin supplementation for pregnant and lactating women
• calcium supplementation to prevent osteoporosis
• iron supplementation for treatment of anemia
• fat soluble vitamins for children with cystic fibrosis or
• supplementation for wasting or malabsorptive diseases

If your food intake is not sufficient, or you have a chronic condition, ask your healthcare provider about your need for nutritional supplementation. Never exceed the Daily Recommended Intake (also known as DRI) for a vitamin or mineral supplement. Doing so can be harmful to your health.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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