ShareThe Dietary Guidelines for Americans report 2010 is out! In contrast to some of the advise given in the 2005 version, this one seems to be much more evidence-based and contains some progressive changes in recommendations that are independent of pressures of the major food industries.
I’ve summarized some of the major points below, for more information read the short Excecutive Summary.
SoFAS (added sugars and solid fats) contribute approximately 35 percent of calories to the American diet
- Reduce the incidence and prevalence of overweight and obesity of the US population by reducing overall calorie intake and increasing physical activity.
- Shift food intake patterns to a more plant-based diet that emphasizes vegetables, cooked dry beans and peas, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. In addition, increase the intake of seafood and fat-free and low-fat milk and milk products and consume only moderate amounts of lean meats, poultry, and eggs.
- Significantly reduce intake of foods containing added sugars and solid fats because these dietary components contribute excess calories and few, if any, nutrients. In addition, reduce sodium intake and lower intake of refined grains, especially refined grains that are coupled with added sugar, solid fat, and sodium.
- Meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
It is important that any strategic plan is evidence-informed, action-oriented, and focused on changes in systems in these sectors.
The American environment is conducive to this epidemic, presenting temptation to the populace in the form of tasty, energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods and beverages. The macronutrient distribution of a person’s diet is not the driving force behind the current obesity epidemic. Rather, it is the over-consumption of total calories coupled with very low physical activity and too much sedentary time.
These include limiting saturated fatty acid intake to less than 7 percent of total calories and substituting instead food sources of mono- or polyunsaturated fatty acids.
As an interim step toward achieving this goal, individuals should first aim to consume less than 10 percent of energy as saturated fats and gradually reduce intake over time, while increasing polyunsaturated and monounsaturated sources.
Limit cholesterol-raising fats (saturated fats exclusive of stearic acid and trans fatty acids) to less than 5 to 7 percent of energy.
Beneficial changes also include avoiding trans fatty acids from industrial sources in the American diet, leaving small amounts (<0.5% of calories) from trans fatty acids from natural (ruminant) sources, and consuming two servings of seafood per week (4 oz. cooked, edible seafood per serving) that provide an average of 250 mg/day of n-3 fatty acids from marine sources (i.e., docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]).
High-energy, non-nutrient-dense carbohydrate sources that should be reduced to aid in calorie control include sugar-sweetened beverages; desserts, including grain-based desserts; and grain products and other carbohydrate foods and drinks that are low in nutrients.
In 2005, the DGAC recommended a daily sodium intake of less than 2,300 mg for the general adult population and stated that hypertensive individuals, Blacks, and middle-aged and older adults would benefit from reducing their sodium intake even further to 1,500 mg per day. Because these latter groups together now comprise nearly 70 percent of US adults, the goal should be 1,500 mg per day for the general population.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.
Read also the story on Reuters: US food guidelines should focus on fat, panel says
