Eating is a pleasurable part of life. The look and flavor of food is important to enjoying a meal. What you choose to put in your mouth is also a decision about your well-being. Americans eat well by world standards, but our national diet is a major factor in chronic diseases caused by excesses. Every year the average adult in our country consumes up to 16 pounds of salt and 150 pounds of refined sugar. We are the most overfed and undernourished people in the world. The surgeon general says that at least five of the top ten causes of death in this country are directly related to the way we eat. That is why we encourage you to consider what is on your plate. You may find that gradually changing to a healthier diet maybe easier than you think. Here are some common sense guidelines to get you started. Grades 9-Adult