The Illinois Dietetic Association (IDA),and The American Dietetic Association (ADA), recommends a daily eating pattern based on the Food Guide Pyramid.  The Food Guide Pyramid is a visual tool designed to correlate the messages of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans into practical eating advice. The Food Guide Pyramid was updated and released in 2005.

Pyramid Resources

Pyramid Resources for Kids

My Pyramid Plan

Deciphering the Pyramid

My Pyramid Tracker

For Professionals - Pyramid

Graphics Resources

What are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
The Dietary Guidelines are recommendations for healthy individuals ages two years and older. These recommendations allow individuals to select their favorite foods, including ethnic foods. The food guide pyramid allows people to make daily food selections based on personal preferences and needs. Every food imaginable  fits inside  the pyramid.  These broad and flexible guidelines promote the key concepts of healthful eating as balance, variety and moderation.

The Dietary Guidelines issued jointly by  the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Health and Human Services, recommends:

Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products;
Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and
Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

How can we possibly implement the dietary guidelines?
We are not all scientists....
You are correct to think nutrition science is complex. However, the dietary guidelines can easily be incorporated into a healthful eating style by following the serving recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid.