USDA Dietary Guidelines. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage all Americans to eat a healthy diet and be physically active. The new Dietary Guidelines "My Plate" is an easy tool to help you think about food choices at each meal, control portion sizes, and ensure balanced nutrition. The foods you eat greatly influence your health, your appearance, and even your mental attitude. That's why it is so important to get proper nutrition every day. But eating right doesn't mean giving up all the foods you love. It does mean eating moderately and choosing from a wide variety of food groups for a well-balanced diet. Go with the Grain™