Medpagetoday.com REPORTS HERE "the latest set of national dietary guidelines acknowledges that many
Americans are unhealthy and emphasizes efforts to battle the obesity
epidemic. In addition to lower sodium and saturated and trans fat goals, the
recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also call for policymakers
and the food industry to become engaged in the fight. The obesity epidemic is priority
number one, and every single thing in this report is focused on
addressing that problem up front," says the report.
"Yet in terms of intake recommendations, there are not many changes
from the last guidelines update in 2005."
"The changes in fat consumption are among the biggest new
recommendations. The new guidance urges that saturated fat intake be cut
from 10% of total daily energy consumption to just 7%, with more
emphasis on calories from the more healthful mono- and polyunsaturated
fats."
"And the trans fat intake recommendation has been cut in half --
from 1% to 0.5%, with the idea being to eat as few of these fatty acids
as possible..."
"Another key change is in the sodium intake recommendation. The 2005
guidelines put it at 2,300 mg per day for the general population.
However, since 70% of Americans have diabetes, heart disease, obesity,
or some other risk factor, the new recommended daily allowance is 1,500
mg. That was the number set in the old guidelines only for the high-risk
group."
"The advisory also encourages increased potassium intake because the
element helps attenuate the effects of sodium on blood pressure."
"There are no new recommendations in terms of cholesterol
consumption, which stands at 300 mg per day for healthy adults, and less
than 200 mg daily for high-risk individuals."
"Recommendations for protein and carbohydrate intake have remained
relatively unchanged, although the new guidelines call for a shift to a
more plant-based diet that focuses on nutrient-rich rather than
energy-dense foods."
"That means eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seafood, and
low-fat milk and dairy products while cutting back on refined grains,
added sugars, and solid fats -- particularly those found in
sugar-sweetened beverages and desserts, the researchers said."
"Specifically, recommended seafood intake is two, four-ounce servings
per week, to accrue 250 mg per day of omega-3 fatty acids including
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)."
"Nutrition experts say one of the most challenging changes will be the
sodium recommendations....most Americans eat 3,000 to 8,000 mg of sodium per day..."
"The guidelines also recommend against a daily multivitamin and
encourage moderate alcohol intake, at no more than a drink a day for
women and two for men."
"They also address food safety issues, outline four key steps to
prevent foodborne illness: 'clean, separate, cook, and chill.'"
"National dietary guidelines were first published in 1980 and are
reviewed every five years. The new set of guidelines is open for public
comment until July 15."
