Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Overview

Nutrition plays an imperative role in overall health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are developed by qualified, nutrition scientists using science-based evidence to help the public make better informed food and beverage choices.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics strongly supports the guideline’s underlying purpose – making them actionable by health care providers and the public. The Academy also supports the development of a comprehensive plan for the Dietary Guidelines' broad and effective implementation. As the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is involved throughout the development process of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

There are four stages of the development process:

1. The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services identify the topics and supporting scientific questions to be examined.
2. Highly qualified nutrition scientists with demonstrated expertise are appointed by USDA and HHS to serve on the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and review current scientific evidence.
3. Based on thorough, scientific review, the advisory committee creates and submits a scientific report which is used to inform the new iteration of the Dietary Guidelines.
4. The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans are implemented via federal programs.

Individuals are encouraged to submit public comments and participate in virtual Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee meetings.