The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) committee has released a report to help make better food choices.

The federal DGAC committee consists of a panel of doctors and nutritionists who are recognized experts in the field of health and nutrition. Every five years, the federal committee comes out with new recommendations to help Americans eat a balanced diet.

The committee is legally required to assemble every five years in order to revise dietary recommendations based on the most current scientific knowledge.

According to UnityPoint Des Moines Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Carrie Leiran, the panel has recommended that eggs are okay and has no evidence to support the idea that dietary cholesterol affects blood cholesterol levels. However, saturated fat does. Therefore, saturated fat intake should be limited.

The panel recommended that sugar should not be consumed more than 10% of calories per day. It means that about 12 teaspoons, or a quarter cup of sugar a day is required if you consume 2,000 calories a day.

The panel suggested that 3-5 cups of coffee a day could be part of a healthy diet. It might even reduce the risk of Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease.

A plant-based diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes has been highly recommended. Lean meats are still considered part of a healthy diet, but red meats and processed meats should be limited.

Leiran said, "It's still about eating a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables across the board have always been known to be really helpful in disease prevention. It's moving more."

The recommendations won't become public policy, however, until they're officially adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture.