For those of you who have already given up on your New Year's resolutions, have no fear. Resolve now to try the newly revised American dietary guidelines.

If you have not seen the recent coverage on 60 Minutes, CNN or other media outlets, the government's food guidelines have been updated for the first time since 2000. The new version emphasizes a diet high in fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, and low in artery-clogging saturated fats.

Due to the changes, a new Food Guide Pyramid will soon be made public. However, the change in the dietary guidelines is so drastic that the pyramid shape we have all come to know may also be changed.

The new guidelines encourage nine servings a day of fruits and vegetables. This combination translates to two cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables. Make it a goal to choose one new fruit and vegetable each day in your diet. Pick something you haven't tasted in awhile or never had the guts to try.

Whole grains should make up three servings out of the grain group. Examples of whole grains are 100 percent whole-wheat bread, pasta and bagels, as well as brown rice and oats. A diet rich in high-fiber products such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of colon cancer, high cholesterol, hypertension and other conditions.

As for dairy products, the guidelines suggest selecting low-fat options. Cheese and regular milk products, such as half-and-half, ice cream and sour cream, have more saturated fats, which are harmful if consumed in high amounts. Choose healthier alternatives, such as low-fat feta cheese instead of regular feta cheese, or skim milk instead of whole milk. The guidelines promote three servings of dairy a day.

While reducing the amount of saturated fats as suggested above, you should also increase your intake of fish and vegetable oils. These oils can help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

There is some controversy over the new guidelines. In 1980, the brochure, which helps dieters use the Food Guide Pyramid effectively, was only seven pages long. Now it is 13 pages long and includes 41 recommendations, and the text is more explanatory.

Many nutritionists consider this confusing to the consumer. There are no clear-cut suggestions for the amount of sugary goods consumed; we are just supposed to "eat less of it."

The new guidelines also include recommendations for more exercise, suggesting 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week.