The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a group of 13 independent experts, has just submitted a report with their science-based, dietary and lifestyle recommendations for the public. Using the information contained in this report, the government will be finalizing the soon-to-be released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.

Similar to the last set of guidelines, the DG Advisory Committee is recommending that Americans consume a well-balanced, plant-based diet, which includes all of the food groups, coupled with adequate physical activity, to maintain a healthy body weight and to avoid obesity. They are also advising that solid fats, added sugar, and sodium be reduced in the diet.

Here’s a peek at some of their additional recommendations:

* Reduce saturated fatty acids intake to less 10 percent, and ideally, less than 7 percent of calories, with more emphasis on heart, healthy mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
* Limit dietary cholesterol to less than 300 mg daily. Those with heart disease or type 2 diabetes should shoot for less than 200 mg daily.
* Avoid trans fatty acids from commercially prepared foods.
* Consume two servings of seafood per week.
* Reduce sodium to 1,500 mg per day.

The public can comment on this report until July 15 on this website.
For more on reducing the sodium in your diet, watch this.