2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate Info

Why Water?

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee released its recommendations for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans on February 19. Included in their recommendations is this language:

“Strategies are needed to encourage the U.S. population to drink water when they are thirsty. Water provides a healthy, low-cost, zero-calorie beverage option. Free, clean water should be available in public settings, as well as child care facilities, schools, worksites, publicly funded athletic stadiums and arenas, transportation hubs (e.g., airports) and other community places and should be promoted in all settings where beverages are offered.” See more

Water is essential for good health and an ideal substitute for sugar-sweetened beverages.
To learn more, read our Best of Science letter.

Ask the government to:

Adopt the Advisory Committee’s recommendations for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Add a symbol for water to USDA’s MyPlate graphic

When commenting to the USDA, ask for strong language in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americas:

√ "Water: First for Thirst."

√ Water should be the primary beverage choice.

√ Water should be free, safe and readily accessible.

√ Water provides a healthy, low-cost, zero-calorie beverage option.

Ask for strategies and resources to promote and educate about drinking water:

√ Urge USDA to take steps to add a symbol for water to MyPlate.

Water Around the World

A few examples of how water is shown as an essential part of daily intake from countries around the world: