ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Eating well can be difficult, especially when foods labeled as “healthy” aren’t necessarily healthy. To help people keep a nutritious diet, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated guidelines surrounding what defines a food item as “healthy.”

Under the new rule, for food to be labeled as “healthy” it must contain a certain amount of food from at least one major food group. This includes fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. The change, according to officials, will prevent food like sugary cereals and some granola bars from being labeled as “healthy.”

“So, foods that aren’t labeled as ‘healthy’ doesn’t mean we can’t ever enjoy those in moderate amounts,” began Holly Gilligan, a registered dietitian with Fitness Science, which is part of the University of Rochester Medical Center. “I work with a lot of athletes. High-salt foods, which are no longer going to be deemed ‘healthy,’ are actually really helpful for my athletes that are super sweaty. So, just remembering – it’s a good start, but context is super important.”

Using the “healthy” claim is voluntary, with no standardized labels that manufacturers must use.

“Diet-related diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are the leading cause of disability and disease in the U.S. and contribute to America’s status as having the lowest life expectancy among large, high-income countries,” the FDA announced.