Most Americans eat less fruit and vegetables than the Dietary Guidelines recommend. Adults generally need about 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables a day, depending on age, sex and activity (Dietary Guidelines for Americans). The easiest way to close the gap is not to change your whole diet, … Read more
Fiber is one of the nutrients Americans most often fall short on. The Dietary Guidelines recommend about 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories, which works out to roughly 25 grams a day for many women and 30 to 34 grams for many men. Most people eat around half that. Why fiber matters Two types … Read more
The problem is not the natural sugar in whole fruit or plain milk, but added sugars: sugar, syrups and honey added during processing or cooking. The Dietary Guidelines recommend keeping added sugars below 10 percent of daily calories for everyone age 2 and older, which is about 50 grams (12 teaspoons) on a 2,000-calorie diet. … Read more
Protein helps build and repair muscle, keeps you full and supports many functions in the body. Most Americans eat enough protein overall, but many eat little at breakfast and a lot at dinner, and older adults and very active people may need more. How much do you need? The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults … Read more
