The new guidelines also suggest cutting salt and saturated fat, but do not recommend Americans to eat less red or processed meat in spite of the many studies that conclusively prove that that eating much of either increases the chances of getting various cancers. So what’s in and what’s out with the government’s new dietary guidelines?
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The newly released 8th edition of the Dietary Guidelines reflects advancements in scientific understanding about healthy eating choices and health outcomes over a lifetime.
While there was speculation that recommendations for maximum-advised sodium consumption would change, the dietary guidelines on that remain the same, with the recommendation that people 14 and older eat no more than 2,300 milligrams per day. However, the guidelines still emphasize limiting saturated fats to 10 percent of the daily calories, according to ABC News.
For one, the new research-based framework-which is meant to advise the millions of American citizens on what they should be eating-recommends that Americans should consistently stick to a plant-based diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, of course, as well as whole grains. The new guidelines said a typical adult should have no more than 12 teaspoons of sugar per day.
The guidelines also backed off a longstanding recommendation that Americans should consume less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol daily, a little less than the amount found in two eggs.
For the first time the government added recommended limits on sugar but Professor Nestle says pressure from the food industry has watered down the guidelines. The guidelines have served as the benchmark for federal nutrition and food-assistance programs ever since the year 1980.
In previous versions, coffee was usually mentioned only in reference to food and drinks that don’t have labels to list their nutritional information and to avoid added sugar, which some people add to make their preferred cup of Joe.
The report focuses on three main areas: Eat for health and the long run; Start with small changes; and support healthy choices for everyone.
“I’m very pleased the secretaries went back and reviewed the large body of science that does exist supporting lean meats like beef in a healthy dietary pattern”, said Jennifer Leheska, a dietitian for TCFA. There is some good news as you don’t have to worry about the natural sugar in an apple or raisins because Lustig said processed foods are the problem.
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But the biggest winners might be the meat industry with the government saying you don’t have to eat less meat.
