The USDA's seven-point plan . The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services hope you'll start asking the former question. This booklet contains seven suggestions for healthy eating. Although not comprehensive, it offers some general principles that will have a beneficial impact if put into practice.
Most people also shortchange themselves on fiber and complex carbohydrates.
Consequently, Americans have a high rate of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and cancer. You need more than 40 different nutrients for good health. These nutrients should come from a variety of foods, not from a few highly fortified foods or supplements. If you are too fat or too thin you have a greater chance of developing health problems. Whether your weight is healthy depends on how much of your weight is fat, where the fat is located and whether you have weight-related medical problems, such as high blood pressure or a family history of such problems.