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February 24, 2026
New US dietary guidelines call for energy balance and nutrient-rich food choices
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans released on January 31 of this year make two main recommendations: (1) maintain calorie balance over time to achieve and sustain a healthy weight and (2) focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods and beverages.1 While previous dietary guidelines have targeted healthy individuals, the new 2010 guidelines are intended for Americans ages 2 years and older, including those who are at increased risk of chronic disease. This represents an important shift.
In terms of promoting healthy weights, the new dietary guidelines recognize that people who are most successful at achieving and maintaining a healthy weight do so through continued attention to consuming only enough calories from foods and beverages to meet their needs and by being physically active. They note, to curb the obesity epidemic and improve health, many Americans must decrease the calories they consume and increase the calories they expend through physical activity.
The new guidelines also emphasize the need to focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods and beverages. The report states that Americans currently consume too much sodium and too many calories from solid fats, added sugars, and refined grains. When these replace nutrient-rich choices, it is difficult for people to achieve recommended nutrient intakes and control calorie and sodium intakes.
They recommend a healthy eating pattern that limits intake of sodium, solid fats, added sugars, and refined grains and emphasizes nutrient-dense foods and beverages. These nutrient-rich choices include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, and meats and alternatives such as seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes, and unsalted nuts and seeds.
For Your Practice
Canadians also stand to benefit from dietary guidance that focuses on balancing calories consumed with calories expended and healthy dietary patterns that emphasize nutrient-dense food choices. Lean meats, such as lean beef, are among the most nutrient-rich foods available. Lean meats have an excellent nutrient-to-calorie ratio and are important dietary sources of complete protein, iron and zinc. Complete proteins provide all of the essential amino acids needed for growth and good overall health. Studies also show that higher protein intakes tend to satisfy hunger longer and promote favourable changes in lean body mass.2,3 This makes protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, an especially wise food choice for people who are trying to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight for good health.
Want to Learn More?
See the following references:
1. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. Available at:
www.dietaryguidelines.gov (Accessed Feb. 15, 2011).
2. Layman DK et al.
A Moderate Protein Diet Produces Sustained Weight Loss and Long-Term Changes in Body Composition and Blood Lipids in Obese Adults. J Nutr 2009; 139(3): 514-21.
3. Leidy HJ et al. Higher Protein Intake Preserves Lean Mass and Satiety with Pre-Obese and Obese Women. Obesity 2007; 15(2):421-9.
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