WEST HAZLETON -- The next time you go food shopping, you may want to consider some new ideas.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture just released its new dietary guidelines.
The main points of the new recommendations are: fewer restrictions on sodium and dietary cholesterol and more restrictions on added sugar.
Beth Stark, a dietitian with Weis Markets, says it's important to remember these are just guidelines.
"It's not a eat this, don't eat that. It's a variety of foods that you enjoy, adjusting your meal pattern to add these healthy foods so you can feel well."
These new guidelines come out every five years. Stark says more studies lead to slight changes. For instance, two eggs used to be the recommended limit for cholesterol, but not anymore.
"Basically, they found over the last five years that dietary cholesterol does not have as much of an impact on your cholesterol levels as previously thought," said Stark.
If you're a soda lover, experts say there is still a way to keep those carbonated beverages in your life with drinks like tonic water and seltzer being better options.
"Just to try to limit the added sugars from beverages, candies, cookies, ice cream and some of those types of sweets and treats," Stark said.
So do these guidelines really change the way people shop? Some people at Weis Markets in West Hazleton say yes to a healthier shopping list.
"I like my mayo, so I have to eat less mayonnaise. I diet. I exercise," said Joseph Wesolowski of Hazle Township.
Other think, regardless of government guidelines, they'll buy and eat what they want.
Also this year, the guideline noted that caffeine isn't too bad.
Experts say you should limit the coffee to less than three cups a day, but if you don't already drink caffeine - don't start.
