The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are jointly issued and updated every 5 years by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They provide authoritative advice about consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices, and being physically active to attain and maintain a healthy weight, reduce risk of chronic disease, and promote overall health.

Recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are intended for Americans ages 2 years and over, including those at increased risk of chronic disease. The Guidelines encourage Americans to focus on eating a healthful diet — one that focuses on foods and beverages that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight, promote health, and prevent disease. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 are the 7th edition released since 1980 and remain the current edition until the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015 are released.

Understanding the information on food labels makes it easier to make quick informed food choices that contribute to good health.

Eating right and being physically active are keys to staying healthy throughout life. Nutrient needs change with age. Familiarize yourself with the foods that offer the vitamins and minerals that promote good health as we age.

• Nutrition for Older Adults

• Food Safety Risks for Older Adults

Nutrient-rich food provides energy for women's busy lives. A balanced diet filled with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, low-fat dairy and lean protein supports a woman’s health and wellness.

Nutrition plays different roles during different stages of a woman's life. During childhood, foods fuel growth. Through childbearing years, diet plays a role in fertility, a healthy pregnancy and prevention of chronic disease. In older years, what women eat can help keep minds sharp and bodies strong.

• Nutrition for Women
  A balanced diet is a cornerstone of health for women and men alike. But women also have special nutrient needs that change with each stage of a woman’s life.

• Bone Health
  A healthy diet and physical activity are keys to building and keeping bones strong for life. Calcium and vitamin D are major nutrients for making bones hard and healthy.

• Active Lifestyle
  Regular daily activity helps with weight control, muscle strength and stress management. See how to make your lifestyle more active.

• Pregnancy
  Whether you're pregnant or trying to conceive, make sure you're getting the nutrients your body needs to support a healthy pregnancy.

• Heart Health and Stroke
  Many women may not be aware that heart disease and stroke are major threats to their health. Heart disease is the number one cause of death among women in the United States, and stroke is number three.

• Menopause
  Falling hormone levels, stress and inadequate sleep make some menopausal women prone to weight gain, especially in their abdomens.

Is it possible to add muscle on a vegetarian diet? How can you eat right when money's tight? What are the steps to take when looking to increase stamina? Is beer good for you? Guys, get the scientifically based answers to these questions—and more—to help you stay strong, have energy and eat right!

• Men's Health
  Learn more about men's health and tools to help men of all ages and backgrounds live stronger, healthier, and even longer lives.

• Nutrition for Men
  Get the facts on the how meats, fats, beer—and, yes, fruits and vegetables—can be health foods and taste great.

• Active Lifestyle
  Are you a runner? A biker? A swimmer? Whatever your favorite way to exercise, find tips to boost your performance.

• Disease Prevention
  When it comes to preventing disease, eating right and a healthy lifestyle are your strongest line of defense.

• Eating Healthy
  Help your child grown healthy. Let's Move! is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.

• Getting Active: Let's Move!
  Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.

• Choose My Kids' Plate
  ChooseMyPlate.gov provides practical information to individuals, health professionals, nutrition educators, and the food industry to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutrition education, and other user-friendly nutrition information.

Dietary Supplements can NOT offset the unfavorable effects of poor food choices.

If you have questions about a particular supplement, call the FDA’s toll-free number at (888) INFO-FDA (463-6332). Also, contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any adverse affects after taking a dietary supplement. It is also recommended that you report the problem to FDA.

• USDA: Herbal Medicines
  Includes information on over 100 herbs and supplements from Natural Standard.

• Herbal Medicine - MedlinePlus
  A Service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health

• Herbs at a Glance
  Herbs at a Glance is a series of brief fact sheets that provide basic information about specific herbs or botanicals - common names, what the sciences says, potential side effects and cautions, and resources for more information.

Warfighter Nutrition is specialized given the Soldier’s exposure to extreme conditions.

• Performance Through Nutrition and Exercise

• Force Health Protection: Nutrition and Exercise

• Dietary Supplements and Military Divers

Fueling with the right amount of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Healthy Fats promotes energy, endurance, stamina, and muscle growth. Plan your meals like you plan your workouts! A PLAN for eating and hydrating before, during, and after physical training is essential. Benefits of proper fueling include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight.

• Decreased post-exercise muscle soreness.

• Stronger and healthier muscles.