AMES, Iowa -- The 2005 Dietary Guidelines recently released by the United States departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services include 41 recommendations. "Lighten Up Iowa can help Iowans meet the three major recommendations," said Ruth Litchfield, Iowa State University Extension nutritionist.

Those three are to make smart choices from every food group, to find your balance between food and physical activity and to get the most nutrition out of your calories.

Lighten Up Iowa encourages healthy eating by promoting fruits and vegetables. "The Dietary Guidelines recommend consuming 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables daily. It is noteworthy that the Dietary Guidelines call for cups rather than servings," Litchfield said. "This is a much easier and more accurate measurement for consumers to use."

The Dietary Guidelines also recommend 30 minutes of physical activity per day for those wishing to reduce their risk of chronic disease and maintain cardiovascular health. However, for weight maintenance or weight loss, 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity is recommended."

The team concept in Lighten Up Iowa can help Iowans develop a support network, which enhances individual long term success when it comes to increasing physical activity," Litchfield said. "Ultimately, weight maintenance and weight loss are achieved through a balance of food intake and physical activity. And more importantly, eating and physical activity habits that can be maintained for a lifetime are key."

Later this spring, the new food guidance system will be released. "Currently, different versions of the visual that is to accompany the Dietary Guidelines are being market tested," Litchfield said. "The food guidance system is a graphical depiction of the Dietary Guidelines to help Americans select a food pattern that meets the recommendations."

It is not too late to register for Lighten Up Iowa. Join thousands of your fellow Iowans and improve your health through good nutrition and physical activity. For more information visit:

http://www.lightenupiowa.org
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/pdf/brochure.pdf
http://www.5aday.gov/homepage/index_content.html.