Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025

The Dietary Guidelines is intended to help all individuals and their families consume a healthy, nutritionally adequate diet. The information in the Dietary Guidelines is used to develop, implement, and evaluate food, nutrition, and health policies.  The 2020-2025 edition of the Dietary Guidelines builds from the 2015 edition, with revisions grounded in the Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and consideration of Federal agency and public comments.

Message From the Secretaries

v Acknowledgments

vi Executive Summary 

vii Introduction

Setting the Stage 1

Grounded in Science and Focused on Public Health 3

A Spotlight on Dietary Patterns 6

Healthy Dietary Patterns at Every Life Stage 6

Dietary Guidelines for Americans: What It Is, What It Is Not 7

Quantitative Guidance on Foods, Not Nutrient Requirements 7

Health Promotion, Not Disease Treatment 7

Developing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 7

Stage 1: Identify Topics and Supporting Scientific Questions 8

Stage 2: Appoint a Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee To Review Current Scientific Evidence 8

Stage 3: Develop the Dietary Guidelines 11

Stage 4: Implement the Dietary Guidelines12

A Roadmap to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 14

Chapter 1: Nutrition and Health Across the Lifespan 15

The Guidelines 17

Guideline 1: Follow a Healthy Dietary Pattern at Every Life Stage 19

What Is a Dietary Pattern? 19 The Health Benefits of a Healthy Dietary Pattern 23

A Healthy Dietary Pattern Supports Appropriate Calorie Levels 23

Most Americans Do Not Follow a Healthy Dietary Pattern 26

Guideline 2: Customize and Enjoy Food and Beverage Choices To Reflect Personal Preferences, Cultural Traditions, and Budgetary Considerations 27 Guideline 3: Focus on Meeting Food Group Needs With Nutrient-Dense Foods and Beverages, and Stay Within Calorie Limits 30 

And More.

Dietary Guidelines is designed for policymakers and nutrition and health professionals to help all individuals and their families consume a healthy, nutritionally adequate diet.