State dietary guide is available online
Officials hope site will be a resource for parents

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released the 2008 California Food Guide, a nutrition resource designed to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity for Californians.

DHCS director Sandra Shewry called the online guide an important tool to help address health and nutritional issues facing Californians today.

The "California Food Guide: Fulfilling the Dietary Guidelines for Americans" includes information designed for California's diverse population.

The guide was compiled primarily by DHCS and the California Department of Public Health.

The online guide examines the needs of age groups, racial and ethnic groups and lowincome populations.

It details nutrition needs for pregnant and breastfeeding women and gives a look at how nutrition impacts obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

There is also information on vegetarian diets, environmental contaminants in foods, food insecurity and other topics.

The guide replaces the 1990 version of the California Daily Food Guide.

It is designed for physicians, nurses, nutritionists, academic institutions, registered dieticians and health educators.

For more information, visit www.cafoodguide.ca.gov.