Every five years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture compile the newest developments in physical activities and nutrition, and they put it in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines recommend for the first time that Americans get no more than 10 percent of their daily calories from added sugars.
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That amounts to about 200 calories a day, or about the amount in one 16-ounce sugary drink. You know the drill: more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, healthy fats, and lean protein.
“By omitting specific diet recommendations, such as eating less red and processed meat, these guidelines miss a critical and significant opportunity to reduce suffering and death from cancer”, Wender said. The dietary guidelines also encourage the role of home, schools, workplaces, communities and food retailers in supporting healthy choices, and include exercise recommendations.
Rather, the government suggests eating a variety of protein foods, including lean meats, eggs, beans, soy, nuts and seeds.
So you could eat eggs like Rocky Balboa.
Based on a review of current scientific evidence on nutrition, the 2015 edition includes updated guidance on topics such as added sugars, sodium, and cholesterol, and new information on caffeine. In the DGAC report, a healthy dietary pattern was defined not just in terms of “healthy choices” such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts/seeds, and seafood, but also in terms of reduced intake of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, and refined grains.
Last, the same advisory committee recommended the new dietary guidelines take into account environmental considerations for the first time in suggesting what foods Americans should eat. Hardly. Could it help slowly validate growing concerns with too much meat and sugar consumption?
“Cholesterol in eggs, poultry, cheese, and meat contributes to heart attacks and other health risks”, said Neal D. Barnard, MD, President of the Physicians Committee. The new guidelines said a typical adult should have no more than 12 teaspoons of sugar per day.
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize that adults who choose to drink should do so in moderation; reaffirm the definition of a standard drink for beer, wine and distilled spirits; and adopt the new terminology “drink-equivalents”.
And instead of ‘eat less meat, ‘ they say less than 10 percent of your diet should come from saturated fats.
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“Small changes can add up to big differences”, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told the Associated Press. For comparison purposes, the average American consumes around 3,400 mg of sodium a day, and too much salt is known to be a factor in high blood pressure.
