Here is a set of common dietary guidelines offered by six national health organizations* as protection against the major chronic diseases:

• Eat a variety of foods.
• Choose most of what you eat from plant sources.
• Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
• Eat at least 6 servings of whole-grain foods each day.
• Minimize the high-fat foods you eat, especially those from animal sources.
• Choose low-fat, low-cholesterol foods.
• Limit the amount of simple sugars in your diet.

Remember—your healthcare professional can help you determine the daily calorie intake that is right for you.

*The American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Dietetic Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Society for Clinical Nutrition