This is historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.
Let's Move Logo
Let' Move Blog

New Dietary Guidelines Urge Consumers to Enjoy Food, but watch Calories In, Calories Out

Posted by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on February 01, 2011

Today I had the honor to join the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius to release the 2010 Dietary Guidelines – a science-based roadmap to give busy individuals, moms and dads the information to make thoughtful choices for themselves and their families. It was inspiring to see so many young people in the audience, followed by important health and nutrition questions from George Washington University students.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack seated right) mentioned during the announcement of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in the George Washington University Jack Morton Auditorium, Monday, January 31 in Washington, DC that, “Helping Americans incorporate these guidelines into their everyday lives is important to improving the overall health of the American people.”

The Guidelines reinforce what folks already know – that healthy lives are built on a foundation of calories in, calories out.  To maintain a healthy weight and avoid the complications and potential health risks of being overweight, calories in should equal calories out.  If your goal is to lose weight, calories out must exceeded calories in.

Regardless of your goals or age, you should eat healthier foods in the right portions. Today we talked about filling half of your plate with fruits and veggies. Families should work to maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein including fish, and low fat dairy while taking care to limit sodium, sugar and fat. USDA even has a Menu Planner tool that I have found useful to see what foods I should be eating based on my age and level of physical activity.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack mentioned during the announcement of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in the George Washington University Jack Morton Auditorium, Monday, January 31 in Washington, DC that, “These new and improved dietary recommendations give individuals the information to make thoughtful choices of healthier foods in the right proportions and to complement those choices with physical activity.”

Balance that healthy eating with regular physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week, for adults and 60 minutes a day for children and we have a recipe for healthy lifestyles. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines offer a science-based roadmap that can be used by busy individuals, moms and dads, as well as health and education professionals.

Today we face a national health crisis with the majority of adults and one in three children are overweight or obese. And this is a crisis that America can no longer ignore. And so today we acknowledge that we all have room to improve our eating habits and get more physical activity. It is not only good for every individual and family, but also for our country.

If you missed this morning’s livestream, you can watch or listen online. Be sure to check out the 2010 Dietary Guidelines here, and for more information on dietary guidelines, see www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines and www.healthfinder.gov/prevention

Cross posted from the USDA Blog.

From left: Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Howard Koh, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion Robert Post and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius answer audience and reporters’ questions after the announcement of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in the George Washington University Jack Morton Auditorium, Monday, January 31 in Washington, DC. The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans focus on balancing calories with physical activity and encourage Americans to consume more healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, seafood and to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars and refined grains.