Dietary Assessment of Major Trends in U.S. Food Consumption, 1970-2005

by Hodan Farah Wells and Jean C. Buzby

This report examines major trends in the amount of food available for consumption in the United States between 1970 and 2005 using data from the ERS Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System. The report also estimates whether Americans are meeting Federal dietary recommendations for each of the major food groups by comparing the data with dietary recommendations in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPyramid Food Guidance System. Findings show that Americans do not meet the Federal dietary recommendations. For Americans to meet these recommendations, they would need to substantially lower their intake of added fats, refined grains, and added sugars and sweeteners and increase their consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk and milk products.

Keywords: Agriculture, added fats and oils, added sugars and sweeteners, dairy, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, dietary recommendations, eggs, food, food consumption, fruits, meat, MyPyramid Food Guidance System, nutrients, grains, nuts, vegetables

In this publication...

• Entire Report
• Report summary