The newest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends a shift in our eating
patterns, from what Americans typically eat to a diet that is nutrient-dense and mostly plant-based.
Currently, 75% of Americans eat a diet that is low in fruits, vegetables and oils, while consuming an
excess amount of solid fats, added sugars, and sodium. Our current typical American diet is
contributing to the obesity epidemic, with two thirds of adults and one third of children falling into
the overweight or obese categories for body mass index. This excess weight puts us at an increased
risk for chronic disease.
