Four key recommendations

The 2020-2025 dietary guidelines emphasize that it's never too late to start eating better. The guidelines urge Americans to make every bite count with these four recommendations:

• Follow a healthy dietary pattern at every life stage. Because early food preferences influence later choices, a healthy diet in childhood may have benefits over a lifetime.
• Customize and enjoy nutrient-dense foods and beverages. The guidelines provide a framework that you can adapt to your needs, preferences, traditions and budget.
• Focus on meeting food group needs with nutrient-dense foods and beverages, and stay within calorie limits. Nutrient-dense foods provide vitamins, minerals and other health-promoting components.
• Limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat and sodium, and limit alcoholic beverages. These foods add calories but few nutrients.