Make every bite count

What you eat and drink each day has profound impact on your health. But it’s not always easy to figure out exactly what that should be. A short online search for “healthy nutrition” can quickly overwhelm you with conflicting messages.

To stay healthy and reduce your disease risk, it’s important to have a verified source for understanding what nutrients are right for you at your stage in life. A good place to start is with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Of course, you should also check with your doctor.

The updated guidelines help you understand how to make every bite count. Nutritional needs vary based on how old you are, your activity level, and whether you have any health conditions. This is the first time the document includes recommendations for people from birth to older adulthood. Watch this video to learn more or review this handy infographic.

How are Americans doing in getting the right nutrients? Not well!

• Almost 40% of children and teens are overweight or obese
• About 74% of adults are overweight or obese
• 75+% of Americans dietary choices are low on fruits, vegetables, and dairy
• 77% of Americans consume more saturated fat than recommended
• 90% of Americans consume more salt than is recommended for chronic disease risk reduction

3 simple principles for good nutrition

1. Focus on nutrient-dense foods and drinks
2. Select a variety of foods from the different food groups
3. Pay attention to portion size

6 food groups to eat from

• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Grains
• Dairy
• Protein foods
• Oils

4 basic guidelines everyone should know

• At every life stage, you should follow a health dietary pattern
• Customization is key — you can choose nutrient-dense foods and drinks based on your preferences, budget, and cultural traditions
• Stay within recommended calorie limits while eating foods from all the key food groups
• Limit foods and drinks with added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium — and limit alcoholic beverages, too

Mom’s Meals^® can help

We make getting balanced nutrition tailored to your specific needs easy. We know one size does not fit all, which is why we offer nine different health condition menus designed by professional chefs and registered dietitians. Choose from diabetes-friendly, heart-friendly, gluten free, general wellness meals and more. Check out the choices.