2010 Dietary Guidelines are Here!

The first draft at least... now it's our turn. Until July 15, 2010 anyone and everyone has the opportunity to give their comments, opinions, and issues to the Committee who is charged with developing this report. Here is the link that allows you to do so - http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DietaryGuidelines.htm Why? That's the way the legislation was designed giving the public and professional community a chance to be part of the process and make their voices known.

In 1980 there was great concern in the nutrition community that people needed to know what kinds of things to do to improve their health as chronic disease was on the rise. Hence the first set of guidelines were published for the American public by a joint committee of the Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Department of Agriculture. They issued seven dietary statements that became the first edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They were and continue to be based on the best scientific evidence at the time and have become the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy and nutrition education activities. The legislation also includes a mandate that they be reviewed and updated every five years.

So what's new this time around? The report issued by the committee differs in three ways from previous editions.

• Addresses a public of whom the majority is overweight or obese and yet undernourished in key nutrients.
• Basis for the updated information is the Nutrition Evidence Library, a newly developed, state-of-the-art web-based electronic system and methodology.
• Two newly developed chapters

The first of these chapters considers the total diet and how to integrate all of the recommendations into practical terms that encourage personal choice but result in a nutrient dense, calorie balanced eating pattern. The second chapter integrates these conclusions to encompass the broader environment and societal aspects that are important to successful implementation.

This translates into four steps that can be taken to make sure that "total diet" and "personal choice" remain part of the picture and key in implementation. They are:

• Reduce incidence of obesity by reducing overall caloric intake and increasing physical activity
• Shift food intake patterns to a more plant-based diet. In addition increase intake of seafood and fat-free dairy and consume only moderate amounts of lean meats, poultry and eggs.
• Significantly reduce the amount of foods containing added sugars and solid fats because these components contribute excess calories and few if any nutrients.
• Meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx

I doubt that any of this surprises anyone. It probably means that as a matter of course people need to take more seriously the choices they make that will ultimately impact their health.

The Committee Report emphasized that despite similar recommendations in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines and the attention it received the American diet has NOT changed in some key ways. They include:

• Consumption of harmful types and amounts of fatty acids and cholesterol has not changed since 1990.
• Americans continue to consume excessive amounts of sodium and insufficient amounts of potassium setting the stage for increased levels of blood pressure and its consequences heart disease and stroke
• Vitamin D, calcium, potassium and fiber continue to be 'nutrients of concern'

Recommendations not seen before include:

• Children are included in the recommendation to decrease their sodium intake
• Water intake among Americans is neither excessive or insufficient so there is no specific recommendation regarding water
• Health benefits from consuming seafood outweighs the risk of exposure to methyl mercury and organic pollutants
• Daily multivitamin/mineral supplement does not offer health benefits to healthy Americans. In some settings they have been associated with harmful effects.

The answer - more fruits, vegetables and whole grains for potassium and fiber; more low fat dairy foods for calcium and vitamin D. Whatever you do in terms of physical activity - do more. Make small consistent periodic changes that can be sustained. Enjoy your food, enjoy what you do.

Happy, Healthy Eating,

Marcia