The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, considered the gold standard of nutrition advice, are revised every five years by the departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture. They are being used to update the Food Guide Pyramid.

CALORIES:
New guidelines: Balance calories between the amount you eat and the amount of energy you burn. For moderately active people between the ages of 31 and 50, recommended calories would be 2,000 per day for women and 2,400 to 2,600 for men.
Old guidelines: Aim for a healthy weight, based on Body Mass Index.

EXERCISE:
New guidelines: Thirty minutes of exercise is the minimum. Exercise for 60 minutes to maintain weight and prevent weight gain. If you've lost weight, exercise for 60 to 90 minutes daily.
Old guidelines: Be physically active every day, accumulating about 30 minutes of exercise daily.

NUTRITION:
New guidelines: Eat a variety of foods that are high in nutrients and low in saturated and trans fat, cholesterol, added sugars and salt. Follow government recommendations such as the food guide pyramid.
Old guidelines: Let the pyramid guide your food choices and pick a variety of grains, especially whole grains, and fruits and vegetables.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
New guidelines: Eat at least 4.50 cups of fruits and vegetables a day if you have a 2,000-calorie diet. Eat more or less depending on the calorie level.
Old guidelines: Eat 3-4 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruit a day.

CARBOHYDRATES:
New guidelines: Eat fiber-rich whole fruits and vegetables and whole grains often. Eat and drink little added sugar or caloric sweeteners.
Old guidelines: Choose a variety of grains, especially whole grains, and a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. Choose food and drinks to moderate sugar intake.

FAT:
New guidelines: Keep trans fat as low as possible. Get no more than 10% of your calories from saturated fat and no more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol daily.
Old guidelines: Keep your diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat.

SALT:
New guidelines: Limit salt to about one level teaspoon a day.
Old guidelines: Eat and make foods with less salt.

ALCOHOL:
New guidelines: If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, about one drink per day for women and two for men.
Old guidelines: Same.

FOOD SAFETY:
New guidelines: Clean hands, food contact surfaces and fruits and vegetables. To avoid food-borne illness, separate raw, cooked and ready-to-eat foods while shopping, preparing or storing foods.
Old guidelines: Same.

Reference Source 129
January 14, 2005