The implications of the 1995 Dietary Guidelines for the USDA Food Guide Pyramid

Law requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to publish jointly, every five years, a report entitled, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Dietary Guidelines provide advice for healthy Americans ages two years and older about food choices that promote health and decrease the risk of chronic disease. For the first time, in 1995, the guideline emphasizes both diet and physical activity. In addition, the weight guideline now stresses weight maintenance as well as weight loss. In the 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol, the tone is less negative, and the discussion in the Dietary Guidelines Bulletin mentions that moderate alcohol intake may enhance enjoyment of meals.