The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Dietary Guidelines will have important implications for federal policymakers, nutrition professionals, and the food industry over the next five years, as federal dietary guidance for the public is required to be consistent with the Dietary Guidelines. The overarching theme of the 2010 Guidelines is the need to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity. The new Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood, and to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains. This memorandum provides an overview of the Guidelines.