History of Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has been published jointly every 5 years since 1980 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005, was released January 12, 2005.

The Guidelines provide authoritative advice for people two years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. They serve as the basis for Federal food and nutrition education programs.

Development of the Dietary Guidelines is coordinated by HHS's Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion and Agricultural Research Service.

2005 Edition Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 Consumer Brochure: Finding Your Way to a Healthier You: Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans [PDF - 228KB] Key Recommendations A Healthier You: Based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Toolkit for Health Professionals The Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005

2000 Edition Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000 [PDF - 588 KB] Summary of the Guidelines [PDF - 71 KB] Using the Dietary Guidelines for Americans [PDF - 282 KB] The Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000 Summary chart of guidelines, 1980-2000 [PDF - 9 KB] Release of the Guidelines

1995 Edition Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 1995 [PDF - 168 KB] The Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 1995

1990 Edition Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 1990 [478 KB]*

1985 Edition Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 1985 [463 KB]*

1980 Edition Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 1980 [950 KB]*

* Some of the older versions are only available in PDF format.