Health News
While the government has issued new dietary guidelines for us to follow, it's worth asking if anyone is listening.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has been published jointly every 5 years since 1980 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The recommendations form the backbone of federal nutrition policy, education, outreach, and food assistance programs used by consumers, industry, nutrition educators and health professionals
This year, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advocate portion control and issues specific guidelines for less sodium. But rather than a gentle reminder, both medical experts and government officials take a more direct tone in reminding citizens to cut back on the fat and amp up the fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
?The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are being released at a time when the majority of adults and one in three children is overweight or obese and this is a crisis that we can no longer ignore,? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
It's not just a question of weight, although certainly the rates of obesity are alarming. Nearly 34 of adults and 18 percent of teenagers are obese. But even those at a lower weight should avoid too much sodium, which can cause high blood pressure, particularly in people who have heart disease and certain illnesses such as kidney disease and diabetes. The maximum sodium intake for everyone should be 2,300 mg daily which is approximately a teaspoon of salt. The dietary guidelines, for example, recommend that all African Americans and anyone over age 51 limit their daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg which is a bit more than half a teaspoon.
In addition to urging less sodium intake, the guidelines recommend water over sugary drinks and switching to fat free or low-fat (1 percent or skim) milk.
?The bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of developing diet-related chronic disease. Improving our eating habits is not only good for every individual and family, but also for our country,? Secretary Vilsack said.
-Sandra Crockett
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Health News
New Dietary Guidelines Stress Portion Control, Less Sodium
While the government has issued new dietary guidelines for us to follow, it's worth asking if anyone is listening.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has been published jointly every 5 years since 1980 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The recommendations form the backbone of federal nutrition policy, education, outreach, and food assistance programs used by consumers, industry, nutrition educators and health professionals
This year, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advocate portion control and issues specific guidelines for less sodium. But rather than a gentle reminder, both medical experts and government officials take a more direct tone in reminding citizens to cut back on the fat and amp up the fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
?The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are being released at a time when the majority of adults and one in three children is overweight or obese and this is a crisis that we can no longer ignore,? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
It's not just a question of weight, although certainly the rates of obesity are alarming. Nearly 34 of adults and 18 percent of teenagers are obese. But even those at a lower weight should avoid too much sodium, which can cause high blood pressure, particularly in people who have heart disease and certain illnesses such as kidney disease and diabetes. The maximum sodium intake for everyone should be 2,300 mg daily which is approximately a teaspoon of salt. The dietary guidelines, for example, recommend that all African Americans and anyone over age 51 limit their daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg which is a bit more than half a teaspoon.
In addition to urging less sodium intake, the guidelines recommend water over sugary drinks and switching to fat free or low-fat (1 percent or skim) milk.
?The bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of developing diet-related chronic disease. Improving our eating habits is not only good for every individual and family, but also for our country,? Secretary Vilsack said.
-Sandra Crockett
- Health Care Professionals Strongly Endorse New Federal Dietary Guidelines, Which Say To Eat Less Red And Processed Meat
A group of 700 physicians and other health care professionals sent a letter of strong endorsement to the secretaries of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services praising the recommended federal dietary guidelines...
- Federal Dietary Guidelines Recommend Cutting Back On Red And Processed Meat, Sugar And Refined Grains
The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services have released proposed 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines, released every five years, "provide authoritative advice about consuming fewer calories, making...
- Proposed Nutritional Guidelines Add Sustainability Issues, In Spite Of Republicans' Warnings; Eggs Get A Green Light
A new draft of the federal government's healthy eating guidelines recommends for the first time that Americans consider the "health of the planet along with the health of their hearts," Liz Szabo reports for USA Today. For the first time ever, the...
- Study Shows If You Make Whole Grains Available, Kids Will Eat Them
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Parents who think their children won't eat or like whole-grain products need to put that notion aside and start putting them on the table, new research suggests. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute...
- Disney Boosts Healthy Nutrition For Kids
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom While The Disney Company has always been linked to children?s entertainment, they?re now taking a bold new step to promote children?s health. All food products advertised on their ABC-TV child-focused TV programs, radio stations,...