It’s a cliche, to be sure, but a balanced diet is the key to good nutrition and good health. Following that diet, however, isn’t always that easy. One challenge is that women often feel too busy to eat healthfully, and it’s often easier to pick up fast Food than to prepare a healthy meal at home. But fast food is usually high in fat and calories and low in other nutrients, which can seriously affect your health.

At the other extreme, a multimillion dollar industry is focused on telling women that being fit means being thin and that dieting is part of good nutrition. Between our busy lives and the messages we hear, it’s no wonder that many women suffer from poor nutrition or are confused about nutrition messages.

Good nutrition means eating a balanced diet. Poor nutrition is just the opposite, and it can lead to a myriad of health problems. It’s important to learn how to eat right, which means including the right amounts of the right kinds of food.

In theory, nutritious eating isn’t that difficult. It comes down to basics you probably already know. Eat a varied diet that includes plenty of 100 percent whole-grain products, vegetables and fruits, and reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats, sugars and salt.

And eat regularly. If you skip breakfast and eat lunch on the run, you will be ravenous in the afternoon. Studies suggest that skipping breakfast can backfire and actually increase eating later in the day, contributing to weight gain. Some experts advise planning healthy snacks like fruit and yogurt throughout the day to stave off the munchies.

Getting enough water also is important. Many experts recommend at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily—more if you exercise frequently or are exposed to extremes of heat and cold. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize drinking more water and other calorie-free beverages, along with fat-free or low-fat milk and 100 percent fruit juices, instead of calorie-packed regular sodas.

The new guidelines encourage eating more nutrient-dense food and beverages. Many of us consume too many calories from solid fats, added sugar and refined grains. The guidelines promote a diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, and nuts and seeds.

Activity is the other half of the equation. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines stress healthy eating habits and balancing calories and physical activity to manage weight through all stages of life.

To help you learn how to eat healthfully, start with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) dietary guidelines system, which you can find. The MyPyramid system, which looks somewhat like the familiar food pyramid of old, offers guidance based on individual needs and replaces “serving” recommendations with actual amounts of food. It also emphasizes the importance of balancing nutritious (and tasty!) food choices from all food groups every day with daily physical activity.

The interactive MyPyramid system lets you see specific daily food amount recommendations based on your level of daily moderate to vigorous activity (such as brisk walking or yard work). For instance:

• A 45-year-old woman who gets less than 30 minutes of daily physical activity in addition to her normal routine should consume six ounce of grains; two and a half cups of vegetables; one and a half cups of fruit; three cups of milk; five ounces of meat and/or beans; five teaspoons of oil; and just 195 calories of additional fat and sugar. With a higher level of daily activity (30 to 60 minutes), this woman would be able to consume a little more in certain food groups: her fruit intake could rise to two cups; meat and beans to five and a half ounces; oils to six teaspoons; and extra fat and sugar to 265 calories.
• A 55-year-old woman who gets less than 30 minutes of daily physical activity should eat five ounces of grains; two cups of vegetables; one and a half cups of fruit; three cups of milk; five ounces of meat and beans; five teaspoons of oils, and no more than 130 calories of additional fat and sugar. If she got 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise, she could increase her intake to six ounces of grains; two and a half cups of vegetables; and up to 265 additional calories of fat and sugar.

How much food is that?

If you want to test your knowledge of what a healthy portion looks like—and see how long it takes to burn off excess calories from unhealthy portions—visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Portion Distortion site at:w

For some simple suggestions about eating a healthy, balanced diet, check out the “New American Plate Concept” from the American Institute for Cancer Research. This concept suggests you fill your plate with two-thirds or more of vegetables, fruits, whole grains or beans and only one-third or less of animal protein. This simple principle can guide you toward healthier eating.

For nutritious eating, choose from these groups every day:

Grains (bread, cereal, rice and pasta)

At least half should be whole grains, such as whole-wheat flour, brown rice, whole cornmeal or oatmeal.

One ounce equals:

• One slice of bread
• One cup of ready-to-eat cereal
• One-half cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta

Vegetables

Vary by color and type to get the best benefits. Include dark green, orange and red vegetables, beans, peas, starchy vegetables and others.

One cup equals:

• One cup of most raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice
• Two cups of raw, leafy greens

Fruits

Eat a variety of fruit—fresh, frozen, canned or dried. Choose 100 percent fruit juices.

One cup equals:

• One cup fresh fruit
• One-half large apple, one large orange, 32 seedless grapes, one large banana
• One-half cup dried fruit
• One cup of 100 percent fruit juice

Milk

Choose fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese.

One cup equals:

• One cup of milk or yogurt
• One and one-half ounces of natural cheese; two ounces of processed cheese
• Two cups cottage cheese
• One and one-half cups ice cream

Meat and Beans

Eat varied protein—fish, beans, low-fat or lean meat, eggs, beans, peas, nuts and seeds.

One ounce equals:

• One ounce of lean meat, poultry, fish
• One-fourth cup tofu; one ounce cooked tempeh
• One-fourth cup cooked dry beans
• One egg
• One tablespoon peanut butter or almond butter
• One-half ounce nuts or seeds

Oils

Most oils are low in saturated fat, except for coconut oil and palm kernel oil.

Limit oils to balance total calories.

One teaspoon equals:

• Three teaspoons vegetable oil (canola, olive, soybean, corn, etc.)
• One-half of a medium avocado
• Four teaspoons peanut butter
• One ounce cashews, dry roasted

Unhealthy Foods: Too Much Fat, Sugar and Salt

Grains, vegetables and fruits are essential to getting the vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates (starch and dietary fiber) and other nutrients you need to sustain good health. Some of these nutrients may even reduce your risk of certain kinds of cancer. But experts say we rarely eat enough of these foods. To make matters worse, we also eat too much of unhealthy types of food, including fat (and cholesterol), sugar and salt.

Fat

Some fat is an important part of your diet; fat is part of every cell. It maintains skin and hair; stores and transports fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K; keeps you warm; and protects your internal organs. It even helps your mental processes—not surprising given that fat comprises about 60 percent of your brain. But many women consume too much fat. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that you keep your total fat intake between 25 and 35 percent of your total calories.

Fat, whether from plant or animal sources, contains more than twice the number of calories of an equal quantity of carbohydrate or protein. So cutting back on a small quantity of fat reduces your calorie intake more than cutting back on a similar quantity of carbohydrates.

Fats contain both saturated and unsaturated (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) fatty acids. Saturated fat raises blood cholesterol more than unsaturated fat, which may even help lower harmful cholesterol. Reducing saturated fat (most comes from meat, dairy and bakery products) to less than seven percent of total daily calories may help you reduce your cholesterol level. Whenever possible, replace saturated fat with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

The AHA recommends eating no more than six ounces of lean meat, poultry, fish or seafood a day. A three-ounce serving is about the size of a deck of cards. You also should avoid whole-fat dairy products, opting for low-fat, 1 percent, or fat-free dairy whenever possible.

Trans fatty acids, also known as trans fats, are solid fats produced artificially by heating liquid vegetable oils in the presence of metal catalysts and hydrogen. They also pose a health risk, increasing LDL or “bad” cholesterol and increasing your risk of coronary heart disease. They are often found in cookies, crackers, icing and stick margarine, and in small amounts in meats and dairy products.

Beginning in January 2006, all food manufacturers had to list the amount of trans fatty acids in foods, resulting in a significant reduction in the amount of these fats used in prepared foods. In its guidelines, the American Heart Association notes that trans fats increase risk of heart disease by raising “bad” LDL cholesterol and should be avoided as much as possible. In addition, research has shown that trans fats can also decrease “good” HDL cholesterol, increase inflammation, disrupt normal endothelial cell function and possibly interfere with the metabolism of other important fats—even more evidence that they are very bad for overall health.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats do not appear to raise LDL cholesterol and may even help lower LDL cholesterol when eaten as part of a healthy diet low in saturated fats and trans fats, some studies indicate. Unsaturated fats are found in such foods as nuts, seeds, fish, avocados, olives and most vegetable oils (not coconut or palm oil.

If you count calories, count fat calories, too. Food labels indicate how many calories come from fat, both in actual grams and in percentages. This helps you assess the percentage of fat in your diet. If the total number of fat calories is 30 percent or more of the total calories you consume in a day, you probably need to cut back. But don’t be misled by terms like “lower fat.” Ask yourself “lower than what?” and look at the overall percentage of fat calories in the food.

Also limit the amount of cholesterol you consume. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in every cell of the body. It helps digest some fats, strengthen cell membranes and make hormones. But too much cholesterol can be dangerous: When blood cholesterol reaches high levels, it can build up on artery walls, increasing the risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Although dietary cholesterol can contribute to heart disease, the greater risk comes from a diet high in saturated and trans fats.

You get cholesterol in your diet through animal products such as meat and eggs, particularly through saturated fats like butter and cheeses. Experts suggest you limit your daily intake of cholesterol to less than 300 mg (one egg contains about 215 mg; 3.5 ounces of cooked hamburger contains approximately 90 mg).

You can begin to cut your intake of fat and cholesterol at the supermarket. Read the nutrition labels—you may be stunned to see how much you are consuming. Use fats and oils sparingly, and choose low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, poultry and beans to get the nutrients you need without taking in excess fat.

Sugar

Sugar is a source of calories, not nutrients. Consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain and tooth decay. Contrary to what many people think, there is no evidence linking high-sugar diets to hyperactivity or diabetes. However, high-fructose corn syrup, found in most processed foods, is linked with obesity, and obesity increases your risk for developing diabetes and other conditions.

The American Heart Association recently released guidelines that say women should consume no more than 100 calories of added sugar per day, which is about 6 teaspoons. The average American currently consumes about 22 teaspoons of sugar per day, or about 355 calories.

Much of the sugar we eat is added to other foods, such as regular soft drinks, fruit drinks, puddings, ice cream and baked goods, to name just a few. Soft drinks and other sugary beverages are the No. 1 offenders in American diets. A 12-ounce can of regular soda contains 8 teaspoons of sugar, exceeding the daily maximum amount recommended for women.

Research from Tufts University nutrition scientists shows that Americans are drinking so much soda and sweet drinks that they provide more daily calories than any other food. Obesity rates are higher for people consuming sweet drinks. Also watch for hidden sugar in the foods you eat. Sugar may appear as corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrate or malt syrup, among other forms, on package labels.

Salt

Studies link high sodium intake to higher blood pressure, and evidence suggests that many people at risk for high blood pressure can reduce their risk by consuming less salt or sodium, as well as following a healthy diet. Most Americans consume more sodium than they need. The recommended amount is less than 2,300 mg per day for children and adults to age 50. The limit drops to 1,500 mg per day for those 51 and older or those of any age who are African American or have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. You get 2,300 mg in just one teaspoon of salt. One good way to reduce your sodium intake is to eat fewer prepared and packaged foods.

Alcohol

Notice that alcohol isn’t included in a food group. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Alcohol offers little nutritional value, and when used in excess, can cause short-term health damage, such as distorted vision, judgment, hearing and coordination; emotional changes; bad breath; and hangovers. Long-term effects may include liver and stomach damage, vitamin deficiencies, impotence, heart and central nervous system damage and memory loss. Abuse can lead to alcohol poisoning, coma and death.

Pregnant women should not drink at all because alcohol can harm the developing fetus and infant. According to the March of Dimes, more than 40,000 babies are born each year with alcohol-related damage. Even light and moderate drinking during pregnancy can hurt your baby. If you are breastfeeding, discuss drinking alcohol with your health care professional. After clearing it with your doctor, you may be able to have an occasional celebratory single, small alcoholic drink, but you should abstain from breastfeeding for two hours after that drink.

Getting the Right Nutrients

Although the USDA sets dietary guidelines for whole foods, the Institute of Medicine develops Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) recommendations for essential vitamins and minerals. The amounts below represent 100 percent of the daily value of each nutrient.

Reference Daily Intakes (RDI) for women aged 19-50

Nutrient / Amount

• Vitamin A / 700 micrograms (mcg)
• Vitamin C / 75 milligrams (mg)
• Thiamin / 1.1 mg
• Riboflavin / 1.1 mg
• Niacin / 14 mg
• Calcium / 1,000 mg
• Iron / 18 mg
• Vitamin D / 15 mcg*
• Vitamin E / 15 mg
• Vitamin B6 / 1.3 mg
• Folic acid / 400 mcg
• Vitamin B12 / 2.4 mcg
• Phosphorus / 700 mg
• Iodine / 150 mcg
• Magnesium / (19 to 30: 310 mg, 31 to 50: 320 mg)
• Zinc / 8 mg
• Copper / 900 mcg
• Biotin / 30 mcg
• Pantothenic acid / 5 mg
• Potassium/ 4.7 grams
• Sodium/ 1.5 grams

Reference Daily Intakes (RDI) for women aged 51-70

Nutrient / Amount

• Vitamin A / 700 micrograms (mcg)
• Vitamin C / 75 mg
• Thiamin / 1.1 mg
• Riboflavin / 1.1 mg
• Niacin / 14 mg
• Calcium / 1,200 mg
• Iron / 8 mg
• Vitamin D / 15 mcg*
• Vitamin E / 15 mg
• Vitamin B6 / 1.5 mg
• Folic acid / 400 mcg
• Vitamin B12 / 2.4 mcg**
• Phosphorus / 700 mg
• Iodine / 150 mcg
• Magnesium / 320 mg
• Zinc / 8 mg
• Copper / 900 mcg
• Biotin / 30 mcg
• Pantothenic acid / 5 mg
• Potassium / 4.7 grams
• Sodium / 1.3 grams

*In the absence of adequate exposure to sunlight.
**Due to age-related modest decreases in the ability to use the B12 from natural sources, fortified foods or supplements can help to meet the recommendation.

Macronutrients

Carbohydrates (starches and sugars)

• 45 percent to 65 percent of daily total calories
• About 130 grams daily (some people may need less, and pregnant and lactating women need more)
• Choose whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans—all of which are carbohydrates that deliver vitamins, minerals, fiber and healthy phytonutrients.
• Avoid white bread, white rice, pastries, regular sodas and other highly processed foods.
• Added sugars (from processed foods and drinks) should comprise no more than 25 percent of total calories

Cholesterol

• Consume less than 300 mg per day as part of a healthy diet.
• Cholesterol helps in the formation of cell membranes, vitamin D and some hormones.
• The body typically makes all the cholesterol it needs (about 1,000 milligrams a day). Therefore it is important to limit the high-cholesterol foods you eat, such as meat, egg yolks, poultry, shellfish and whole-fat milk and dairy products.

Fat

• 25 percent to 35 percent of daily total calories
• Eat healthy fats. According to the American Heart Association, women should get at least five to 10 percent of total daily calories from omega-6 fatty acids (equal to 12 to 20 grams), and between 0.5 and 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, depending on individual risk for heart disease. Good sources of omega-6 fatty acids include sunflower, safflower, corn, cottonseed and soybean oils. And good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish, tofu and other forms of soybeans, canola, walnuts, flaxseed, and their oils. Talk with your health care professional about how much of these beneficial oils you should be getting, how you can best incorporate them into your diet and whether or not you should be taking them in supplement form.
• Keep consumption of harmful saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids and cholesterol as low as possible in a nutritional diet.
• Includes dietary fiber and functional fiber that has been shown to have beneficial effect.

Fiber

• You need 25 grams daily (age 19 to 50); 21 grams (over age 50). The average American only consumes about 15 grams a day.
• Eat dietary fiber and functional fiber that has been shown to have beneficial effect. Fruits, vegetables, whole-grain foods, beans and legumes are good sources of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber.
• At least half of your grain intake should come from whole-grain foods, such as whole-grain breads and cereals.

Protein

• 10 to 35 percent of daily total calories
• Females 19 and older need 46 grams a day
• Pregnant and nursing women need more grams of protein; the percentage of daily calories remains the same but the amount consumed will be higher with the increased calorie intake. Consult your health care professional.
• Eat varied sources, such as fish, beans, tofu, low-fat or lean meat, eggs, beans, peas, nuts and seeds.

Nutrients You Need: Are You Getting Enough?

Women, especially those of childbearing age, need to be particularly careful to get adequate amounts of certain nutrients, including:

Calcium

Many women and teenage girls don’t get enough calcium. Calcium-rich foods are critical to healthy bones and can help you avoid osteoporosis, a bone-weakening disease. Additionally, recent studies suggest that consuming calcium-rich foods as part of a healthy diet may aid weight loss in obese women while minimizing bone turnover. The National Institute of Medicine recommends the following calcium intake, for different ages:

Ages	Amount mg/day
1 to 3 years	700
4 to 8 years	1,000
9 to 18 years	1,300
19 to 50 years	1,000
51 and older	1,200

You can get calcium from dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese, canned fish with soft bones (sardines, anchovies and salmon; bones must be consumed to get the benefit of calcium), dark-green leafy vegetables (such as kale, mustard greens and turnip greens) and even tofu (if it’s processed with calcium sulfate). Some foods are calcium-fortified; that is, they contain additional calcium. Examples include orange juice, certain cereals, soy milk and other breakfast foods. Talk to your health care professional about whether you should take calcium supplements if you don’t think you’re getting enough calcium from food sources.

If you have asthma, allergies, a thyroid condition or other chronic medical conditions you may need a higher daily calcium intake. Why? Medications used to treat these conditions can interfere with your body’s absorption and use of calcium and may reduce bone mass.

Fiber

Dietary fiber is found in plant foods like whole-grain breads and cereals, beans and peas, and other vegetables and fruits. At least one study suggests that women who eat high amounts of fiber (especially in cereal) may have a lower risk for heart disease. High-fiber intake is also associated with lower cholesterol, reduced cancer risk and improved bowel function. And one long-term study found that middle-aged women with a high dietary fiber intake gained less weight over time than women who ate more refined carbohydrates, like white bread and pasta.

Women age 19 to 50 should consume 25 grams of total fiber daily; women older than 50, 21 grams. Most women, however, barely consume 12 grams a day. You don’t want to shock your digestive system by going up to 25 grams all at once, so increase your daily fiber intake gradually over several days.

Folic acid

The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age consume 400 mcg of folic acid (a B vitamin) daily to reduce the risk of having a baby affected with spina bifida, anencephaly or other neural-tube birth defects. Pregnant women should take 600 mcg, and lactating women should take 500 mcg.

Foods that contain natural folic acid include orange juice, green leafy vegetables, peas, peanuts and beans. (One cup of cooked kidney beans contains 230 mcg of folic acid.) Fortified foods, such as ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, also contain a synthetic form of folic acid, which is more easily absorbed by your body than the natural form. Folic acid is now added to all enriched grain products (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron have been added to enriched grains for many years).

Iron

Everyone needs iron—especially children, teenage girls and women of childbearing age. The recommended daily amount for women 19 to 50 is 18 mg; for women over 50, 8 mg.

Good sources of iron include liver, kidneys, red meat, poultry, eggs, peas, legumes, dried fruits and dark, green leafy vegetables. Three ounces of cooked chicken liver contains 7.2 mg of iron; a cup of cooked spinach contains 6.4 mg. Your health care professional will probably recommend iron supplements during pregnancy (probably starting at 30 mg per day).

Otherwise, don’t take iron supplements or vitamins with iron unless your health care professional recommends it. This is particularly important if you’re postmenopausal since some evidence suggests too much iron could lead to heart disease.

Carbohydrates

According to the American Heart Association, it’s better to eat more complex carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits and whole grains) than simple carbohydrates found in sugars. Complex carbohydrates add more fiber, vitamins and minerals to the diet than foods high in refined sugars and flour. Foods high in complex carbohydrates are usually low in calories, saturated fat and cholesterol.

Protein

The average woman should get 10 to 35 percent of her daily calories from protein. Protein helps prevent muscle tissue from breaking down and repairs body tissues. Sources of animal proteins include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and cheese. Vegetable proteins include dried beans and peas, peanut butter, nuts, bread and cereal. (A three-ounce serving of cooked chicken contains about 21 grams of protein.)

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is critical to calcium absorption and bone formation. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to the softening of bones in children and babies (rickets) and adults (osteomalacia). But high doses of vitamin D can cause kidney and abdominal problems.

The national Institute of Medicine recommends the following vitamin D intake amounts for healthy individuals:

RECOMMENDED VITAMIN D INTAKE

AGES	AMOUNT IN IUs (International Units)
Children and adolescents	600 IU daily
Adults, up to age 71	600 IU daily
Adults, ages 71 and older	800 IU daily

You can get your allowance of vitamin D through egg yolks, herring, sardines, tuna, salmon and fortified milk, and through exposure to sunlight if you’re not wearing a sunscreen. Three ounces of canned pink salmon provides you with 13.3 micrograms of vitamin D.

If you think you aren’t getting enough of the nutrients you need, your health care provider may recommend changing your diet or adding supplements.

Antioxidants

Dietary antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E, are nutrients that help protect cells from a normal but damaging process known as “oxidative stress.” These nutrients are part of the natural makeup of many foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. They are also added to some foods and are available as supplements.

Many studies suggest that consuming foods rich in dietary antioxidants can reduce your risk of diseases such as cancer; cardiovascular disease; cataracts; age-related macular degeneration, a common form of blindness in elderly people; diabetes mellitus; and neurodegenerative diseases.

How much of these antioxidant-containing nutrients do you need? Below are the recommendations:

Vitamin C

What’s the recommendation?

The recommended daily intake for vitamin C is 75 mg. Limit your intake of vitamin C to no more than 2000 mg a day (from both food and supplements). Amounts higher than that may cause diarrhea.

Where is it found?

Good food sources of vitamin C include broccoli, cantaloupe, grapefruit, green peppers, kiwi fruit, oranges, potatoes with skin, strawberries and tangerines.

Vitamin E

What’s the recommendation?

The recommended daily intake for vitamin E is 15 mg. Don’t take more than 1,000 mg of alpha-tocopherol per day. This amount is equivalent to approximately 1,500 IU of “d-alpha-tocopherol,” sometimes labeled as “natural source” vitamin E, or 1,100 IU of “dl-alpha-tocopherol,” a synthetic form of vitamin E. Consuming more than this could increase your risk of bleeding because vitamin E can act as an anticoagulant (blood thinner).

Where is it found?

Good food sources of vitamin E include oils such as sunflower, safflower and cottonseed, sunflower seeds, almonds, tomato paste, avocados and peanut butter.

Selenium

What’s the recommendation?

Women should consume 55 mcg a day of the mineral selenium.

Where is it found?

Selenium is found in nuts, tuna, meat and grains.

Experts find that most American adults get sufficient quantities of these three nutrients (vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium) from their food.

Beta-carotene and other carotenoids

What’s the recommendation?

Carotene (also called beta-carotene) is an orange pigment in some plants that is important for photosynthesis. Carotenes are un-oxidized carotenoids.

In lab tests, these nutrients act as antioxidants. However, clinical studies in humans using supplements don’t necessarily show they have a protective effect. Plus, beta-carotene supplements can be dangerous, particularly in people who currently smoke or have smoked in the past. You’re better off getting these nutrients through foods.

Where is it found?

Beta-carotene is found in red, orange, deep-yellow and some dark-green leafy vegetables, such as tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli.

The Evolution of Nutrition

As the science of nutrition continually evolves, researchers recognize that nutrients needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle must be tailored to the individual for maximum effectiveness. Recognizing that people are not all alike and that one size does not fit all when it comes to planning and achieving a healthful diet, the Institute of Medicine’s dietary guidelines, titled “Dietary Reference Intakes for Macronutrients,” stress the importance of balancing diet with exercise and recommends total calories based on an individual’s height, weight and gender for each of four different levels of physical activity.

You can access the DRI tables.

The guidelines also establish ranges (called acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges or AMDR) for fat, carbohydrates and protein, instead of exact percentages of calories or numbers of grams. The report maintains that since all three categories serve as sources of energy, they can, to some extent, substitute for one another in providing calories.

Additionally, the guidelines recommend tolerable upper intake levels (UIL) to help avoid harm from consuming too much of a certain nutrient. The guidelines were primarily established for nutritional professionals to help them develop realistic, individualized eating plans for their clients.

Pregnancy

Nutrition is particularly important during pregnancy to ensure your health and the health of the baby. It’s normal to gain weight during pregnancy—not just because of the growing fetus, but because you’ll need stored fat for breast-feeding. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends a gain of 25 to 35 pounds in women of normal weight when they get pregnant; 28 to 40 pounds in underweight women; and at least 15 pounds in women who are overweight when they get pregnant. The IOM has not given a recommendation for an upper limit for obese women, but some experts cap it as low as 13 pounds. If you fit into this category, discuss how much weight you should gain with your health care professional.

Pregnancy is not the time to diet. Restricting your calories during pregnancy can result in a low birthweight baby, which increases the risk of physical and developmental problems.

You should eat a healthful, well-balanced diet during pregnancy. However, you should avoid certain foods, including raw or undercooked fish, poultry and meat; raw or partially cooked eggs or foods containing raw eggs; unpasteurized juices; raw sprouts; unpasteurized milk products; and some soft cheeses (cream cheese is OK). Avoid deli meats and frankfurters unless they have been reheated to steaming hot before eating.

To prevent food-borne illnesses, take the following precautions:

• Clean your hands and food contact surfaces in hot, soapy water, and wash fruits and vegetables well. Don’t wash or rinse meat or poultry.
• Separate raw, cooked and ready-to-eat foods while shopping, preparing or storing.
• Cook foods to a safe temperature to kill microorganisms.
• Chill or refrigerate perishable foods right away, and always defrost foods properly—never defrost foods at room temperature or in hot water; instead, defrost in the refrigerator. Only defrost foods in the microwave that you plan to cook right away.

Going Meatless

Whether for health or moral reasons, millions of Americans prefer to avoid eating meats.

Many women decide to forego animal-related foods altogether; others follow a modified vegetarian plan.

The four main types of vegetarian eating plans are:

1. Semi-vegetarian: a vegetarian eating plan, but with occasional meat, fish or poultry
2. Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: includes eggs and dairy products along with plant foods
3. Lacto-vegetarian: includes dairy products (except eggs) and plant foods
4. Vegan: no animal products at all; only plant foods

A healthy vegetarian diet falls within the guidelines offered by the USDA. However, meat, fish and poultry are major sources of iron, zinc and B vitamins, so pay special attention to these nutrients. Vegans (those who eat only plant-based food) may want to consider vitamin and mineral supplements; make sure you consume sufficient quantities of protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D and calcium. You can obtain what you need from non-animal sources. For instance:

Vitamin B12:

Fortified soy beverages and cereals

Vitamin D:

Fortified soy beverages and sunshine

Calcium:

Tofu processed with calcium, broccoli, seeds, nuts, kale, bok choy, legumes (peas and beans), greens, soy beverages, grain products (including bread, breakfast cereal and other breakfast foods) and calcium-enriched orange juice.

Iron:

Legumes, tofu, green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, whole grains and iron-fortified cereals and breads, especially whole-wheat (absorption is improved by vitamin C, found in citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, peppers, dark-green leafy vegetables and potatoes with skins)

Zinc:

Whole grains (especially wheat germ and bran), whole-wheat bread, legumes, nuts and tofu.

Protein:

Tofu and other soy-based products, legumes, seeds, nuts, grains and vegetables

For the millions of people in the United States who follow vegetarian eating plans, the American Dietetic Association recommends you:

• Consult a registered dietitian or other qualified nutrition professional, especially during periods of growth, breast-feeding, pregnancy or recovery from illness.
• Minimize intake of less nutritious foods such as sweets and fatty foods.
• Choose whole or unrefined grain products instead of refined products.
• Choose a variety of nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits and vegetables, including good sources of vitamin C to improve iron absorption.
• Choose low-fat or nonfat varieties of dairy products, if they are included in the diet.
• Ensure adequate intakes of calories, vitamin D, calcium, iron and zinc for infants, children and teenagers. (Intakes of vitamin D, calcium, iron and zinc are usually adequate when a variety of foods and sufficient calories are consumed.)
• Take iron and folate (folic acid) supplements during pregnancy.

In addition, vegans should:

• Use properly fortified food sources of vitamin B12, such as fortified soy beverages or cereals, or take a supplement.
• Take a vitamin D supplement during pregnancy or while breast-feeding if they don’t get at least 15 minutes a day of unobstructed sunlight.

If you are considering becoming a vegetarian or vegan, the American Dietetic Association recommends that you:

• Make a list of the meatless dishes you already enjoy and make an effort to eat these dishes more often
• Cut back on the amount of meat you eat at meals and replace it with vegetables