New Federal Dietary Guidelines Released : Nutrition: The recommendations echo those issued in 1985 but offer more information, such as suggested limits on the intake of fat.

Americans should eat less fat and cholesterol and more vegetables, fruits and grains, according to new federal dietary guidelines issued today.

The guidelines differ little from the last set, issued in 1985, although the new ones offer more information, including recommended limits on the amount of fat in a healthy diet.

Health and Human Services Secretary Louis W. Sullivan acknowledged that the guidelines were “no earth-shattering thing,” but he said their specificity would make them easier for Americans to understand and follow.

The guidelines “can make all the difference between good health and illness, between long life and premature death,” he said.

“Americans who ignore them do so at their own peril,” said Sullivan, who released the guidelines with Agriculture Secretary Clayton K. Yeutter.

Both secretaries rejected criticism from a consumer group that the new guidelines are weaker than the 1985 set.

The guidelines suggest that depending on body size and activity level, a healthy diet consists of three to five servings daily of vegetables; two to four servings of fruit; six to 11 servings from the food group that includes breads, cereals, rice and pasta; two to three servings of milk, yogurt and cheese, and two to three servings of meats, poultry, fish, dry beans and peas, eggs and nuts.

They also recommend that total fat provide 30% or less of calories daily, and that saturated fat, which is mainly from animal products and tropical oils, be limited to less than 10% of total calories.

The guidelines define moderation in drinking alcoholic beverages: for women, one drink per day, and for men, no more than two drinks a day. One drink means 12 ounces of regular beer, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, 80 proof, according to the federal document.

John R. Cady, National Food Processors Assn. president, said the guidelines recognize that there are no bad foods, just bad diets.

But the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, contended that the new guidelines are weaker than the 1985 ones. Also, they do not heed the advice of the National Academy of Sciences and the surgeon general, the center said.

“This document is clearly designed not to offend the meat, egg and dairy industries,” said Jayne Hurley, a nutritionist at the center.

SEVEN GUIDELINES FOR A HEALTHY DIET Eat a variety of foods.

Maintain healthy weight.

Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.

Choose a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits and grain products.

Use sugars only in moderation.

Use salt and sodium only in moderation.

If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.