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Food for thought
Dr Emma Derbyshire PhD RNutr (Public Health) Nutritional Insight Ltd
In the US, new dietary guidelines are required under the 1990 National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act, which specifies that every five years, the US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and of Agriculture (USDA) must publish a joint report containing nutritional and dietary information and guidelines for the lay public. This report itself must be based on current scientific and medical evidence. Based on these requirements, the new 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released this January. These have been developed for policymakers and health professionals and relate to how the general public, aged two years and older, can improve their overall eating patterns. The guidelines provide five main overarching points developed with the intention of helping to encourage individuals make shifts in their food and beverage patterns. These are to: 1) Follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan; 2) Focus on variety, nutrient density, and amount; 3) Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats and reduce sodium intake; 4) Shift to healthier food and beverage choices, and 5) Support healthy eating patterns for all. Within these, it is also specified that a healthy eating pattern both ‘includes’ and ‘limits’ the inclusion of certain foods. These recommendations are shown below. A HEALTHY EATING PATTERN
Dr Emma Derbyshire is a freelance nutritionist and former senior academic. Her interests include pregnancy and public health. www.nutritionalinsight.co.uk hello@nutritionalinsight.co.uk
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INCLUDES
LIMITS
A variety of vegetables from all of the subgroups: dark green, red and orange, legumes (beans and peas), starchy, and other. Fruits, especially whole fruits. Grains, at least half of which are wholegrains. Fat-free or low-fat dairy, including milk, yoghurt, cheese, and/or fortified soy beverages. A variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), and nuts, seeds and soy products. Oils.
Saturated fats and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium. Key recommendations that are quantitative are provided for several components of the diet that should be limited. These are to: consume less than 10% of calories per day from added sugars; consume less than 10% of calories per day from saturated fats; consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day of sodium; if alcohol is consumed, consume in moderation - up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men and only by adults of legal drinking age.
Overall, most of these guidelines make good common sense. However, we can already see some discrepancies with new UK alcohol guidelines which further advise to spread alcohol intake over three days or more if as much as 14 units per week are being consumed. The new report also highlights the need for global consistency when it comes to referring to sugars. We see the term ‘added sugars’ used here, whilst the latest UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Carbohydrates and Health report replaces this with ‘free sugars’. For more information • US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture (2016). 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. Available at http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/ • Department of Health (2016). UK Chief Medical Officers’ Alcohol Guidelines Review Summary of the proposed new guidelines. Available at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ file/489795/summary.pdf • SACN (2015). Carbohydrates and Health. TSO: London https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/ uploads/attachment_data/file/445503/SACN_Carbohydrates_and_Health.pdf
NHDmag.com February 2016 - Issue 111
