Every ten years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) provides science-based Healthy People reports. These reports describe the national goals and objectives for improving the health of all Americans. The Healthy People 2010 Report focused on promoting health and disease prevention and improve the disparities in health between diverse population groups (Box 16-2).

The Healthy People 2020 Report focuses attention to the root causes of health disparities, specifically general health status, health-related quality of life and well being, and disparities in health. See www.healthypeople.gov/ for details.

The USDA has a Web page (www.mypyramid.gov) that gives consumers basic messages about healthful eating and physical activity that apply to everyone (Fig. 16-2). The Web site allows you to enter your age, gender, and activity level. You can then print out a personalized miniposter of your own plan at the appropriate calorie level. The food plan includes specific daily quantities from each food group and a limit for discretionary calories (fats, sugars, alcohol). You can also print out a worksheet that you can use to track your progress and choose goals for tomorrow and the future.

You can discuss MyPyramid with patients to help them understand how to achieve healthful eating habits. Eating a healthful diet is necessary for looking better, feeling better, having more energy, and developing a more positive outlook on life.

Canada has developed a pictorial food guide to assist Canadians to choose food wisely (Fig. 16-3). The Food Guide Rainbow encourages consumers to determine their own healthy lifestyle—a pot of gold. The Web site (www.hc-se.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php) allows consumers to personalize the food guide, providing recipes, tips for healthy eating and physical activity, and other educational materials.

Dietary fiber is commonly called roughage. It is the portion of the plant that is eaten but cannot be absorbed. Fiber is classified by its water solubility. Roughage adds bulk to the intestinal tract and is beneficial for normal gastrointestinal functioning. Water-soluble fiber, which is found in oat bran, fruits, and vegetables, helps to lower cholesterol. Insoluble fiber, which is found in whole grains and beans, helps to prevent colon cancer and may reduce risk of heart attack (Table 16-1).

Complex carbohydrates, which are found mainly in grains, vegetables, and fruits, are important because they provide energy. Foods high in complex carbohydrates also supply vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Although fiber is not classified as a nutrient, it is essential for good health.

Simple sugars are formed in the mouth from refined carbohydrates that are found in processed foods such as sugar, syrup, jelly, bread, crackers, cookies, candy, cake, and soft drinks. In contrast to complex carbohydrates, most refined carbohydrates supply only “empty” calories, and many are high in fat. Empty calories are those that provide only calories and no other nutrients or fiber.

Although it may be wise to lower dietary fat, consumers should be cautioned to read food labels carefully. In many low-fat or reduced-fat foods, fat is replaced with sugars. As a result, although the fat content of a food may be less, the calorie count may be the same or higher than that in the original higher-fat version of the food.