Final answer:
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend aligning calorie intake with physical activity levels to maintain energy balance, focusing on nutrient-dense foods and regular physical activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The right relationship of calories and physical activity according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is based on maintaining an energy balance. This balance is achieved by aligning one's caloric intake with physical activity levels to support weight management and overall health. Dietary recommendations emphasize consuming a variety of nutrient-dense foods across all food groups while maintaining adequate calorie control. This includes a focus on vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and limiting saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and sodium. As for physical activity, the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults engage in at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity, or 75 to 150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activities, in addition to muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days per week. Balancing energy intake with energy expended through physical activities is essential for a healthful diet and to prevent excess weight gain.