March is National Nutrition Month, and coinciding with that this year is the release of updated dietary guidelines.
Monica Nyman with the St. Louis District Dairy Council explains that these guidelines for healthy living are updated every five years by the USDA. While changes can be small, they are all rooted in scientific dietary research.
Nyman states that the updates focus on eating unprocessed, or as the USDA refers to them, "real," foods. She says putting this into practice starts with picking the right options at the grocery store.
Many of the typical recommendations from the dietary guidelines are reiterated, like proper serving size, prioritizing protein, and getting calcium and other vital nutrients through dairy. According to Nyman, a focus on gut health is new to the guidelines.
Nyman notes that these guidelines are not intended for those with chronic conditions or other ailments that may affect or restrict their diet.
To learn more about the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, visit usda.gov. Find out more about the St. Louis District Dairy Council at stldairycouncil.org, or find them on Facebook.
