Guidelines: cut calories and salt; Exercise more.(Clinical Rounds)

The nation's newly revised dietary guidelines call on Americans to double their exercise, cut back on calories, and limit sodium consumption to 1 teaspoon or less each day.

The "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005" document stresses the importance of personal responsibility when it comes to daily decisions about food and activity, said Tommy Thompson, then U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

"Everyone is looking for the National Institutes of Health to come out with that magic pill. Well, let's face it, America: That's not going to happen," Sec. Thompson said at a press teleconference. "You want to look better and feel better? Then lower your fat, lower your carbs, eat more fruits and vegetables, and exercise more ... It's going to take some personal initiative to get the job done."

The guidelines, last updated in 2000, boil down to a few key points: Eat moderate amounts of lean protein; low- and nonfat dairy products; more fruits and vegetables; less fat, salt, and sugar; little or no alcohol; and exercise--a lot.

The document calls for 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise most days of the week for weight maintenance--double the 30 minutes called for in the 2000 guidelines. The exercise recommendation is even greater for those who are trying to shed pounds--60-90 minutes per day, most days of the week.

The recommended increase in exercise was made in light of the nation's growing weight crisis, said Ann Veneman, then secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She joined Mr. Thompson in announcing the new dietary guidelines. "Physical activity and calorie control are highlighted more than ever before in these guidelines. Two-thirds of our citizens are overweight or obese, and more than 50% don't get 30 minutes of activity per day. This is part of our ongoing effort to address that epidemic and help Americans adopt a healthier lifestyle," she said.

The guidelines also attempt to clarify the way food recommendations are measured. The 2000 guidelines and the current USDA Food Pyramid are geared toward "servings" and "portions." This has caused a lot of confusion among consumers, she said. Rather than servings, the new guidelines use the common household measurements of cups and ounces. ...