FEDS REVEAL NEW DIETARY GUIDELINES

The federal government has introduced new dietary guidelines that set the standard for federal food programs such as school lunches and SNAP. The new standards recommend that most people get 2,300 mg of salt a day or less; the average American gets 3,400 mg a day. And, for the first time, the guidelines recommend limiting added sugar to 10 percent or less of calories. They also recommend that people eat more fruit, vegetables and whole wheat. While the new guidelines mention that cholesterol in food isn't necessarily harmful--it doesn't directly raise blood cholesterol--they say people should eat as little cholesterol as possible. The new guidelines also say that caffeine and alcohol appear to be safe in limited amounts, but say no one should start drinking either if they do not do so already.

Source: NBC News, 1/7/16, New Diet Guidelines