Butter not as bad as you thought, study suggests

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN

Updated 2106 GMT (0506 HKT) July 1, 2016

Photos: American diet trends

The good news: Americans are consuming fewer calories. The bad news: Americans still have a long way to go in how they divvy up calories.

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Americans in almost every age and ethnic group have been weaning themselves off soda and fruit drinks and substituting for healthier choices like water.

Photos: American diet trends

Water over sugary drinks – Americans in almost every age and ethnic group have been weaning themselves off soda and fruit drinks and substituting for healthier choices like water.

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Increasing our intake of fruits and veggies could play a part in improving the U.S. diet. There has been only a slight uptick in consumption of these healthy foods since 2003.

Photos: American diet trends

Not enough fruits and veggies – Increasing our intake of fruits and veggies could play a part in improving the U.S. diet. There has been only a slight uptick in consumption of these healthy foods since 2003.

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Americans have made huge strides in improving their diet by eliminating trans fats -- although much of that is due to changes in the manufacturing process.

Photos: American diet trends

Trans fats decrease – Americans have made huge strides in improving their diet by eliminating trans fats -- although much of that is due to changes in the manufacturing process.

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Photos: American diet trends

No budging on fast food – Despite all the reports of fast food's ill effects on health, Americans have been only slightly scaling back their intake.

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Photos: American diet trends

Going nuts – Grain-based desserts such as cookies appear to be waning in popularity while healthier snacks like nuts are taking off.

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