Dietary Guidelines
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-02-01/dietary-guidelines
Yesterday the U.S. Department of Agriculture released new dietary guidelines. The recommendations emphasize the importance of a diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. The government is also advising Americans to cut back on salt and, in general, to eat less. It’s no secret that our diets are less than ideal. A majority of adults and over one third of all children are overweight or obese. But some question what impact, if any, federal dietary guidelines can have. Join us to discuss the new government recommendations on what we should eat, whether these guidelines can help improve our health.
Guests
Robert Post
deputy director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion,
USDA
Margo Wootan
director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Scott Faber
vice president, the Grocery Manufacturers Association
Dr. Walter Willett
chairman of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health; professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School; co-author of "Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy."
Comments
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Don't eat so much what? Well I would say chicken because it is contaminated and full of hormones. And I would also say meat in general. Even the government suggests we limit seafood intake because of mercury and other industrial contaminants.
Salt would not be a big problem in healthy people who exercise. In fact, there may be some salt-watchers who are upsetting their electrolite balance. Potassium intake plays a part here too.
I think the FDA too often issues incomplete and simple-minded guidelines without sufficient attempts at education. Regulatory capture by food conglomerates is clearly evident.
Think for yourself and do not over-react to their manipulations.
Eat quality and eat locally, mostly vegetables and fruits, but keep up your own research.
I've been perplexed by the lack of information about sugar. How much is too much? Especially regarding children. Pediatricians regularly ask families to switch from whole to low-fat milk to combat obesity. I doubt whole milk is the cause of childhood obesity or Type 2 diabetes. To what extent is sugar exacerbating the problem?
Sara, Tisbury, Massachusetts
Please address the relationship between poverty and obesity, how fastfood and microwave cooking affect our health.
Thanks
MRC Rockville, MD
What is meant by "teaspoon?" A level one or a rounded one? Please be specific.
What is meant by "teaspoon?" A level one or a rounded one? Please be specific.
I eat a very healthy diet -- whole grains, low fat, high fiber, LOTS of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish for most evening meals.
One of the biggest things I notice about eating a healthy diet is how much more expensive it is. Particularly fresh fruit and fresh vegetables are very expensive.
As a member of the middle class, it is easy to see why healthy eating may be difficult or impossible for those who struggle to make ends meet.
Brenda
Orlando, Florida
I'd love to hear your distinguished guests comment on the meat, grain and dairy lobby's role in crafting and/or influencing the guidelines. The latest research I've read seems to sing the praises of a whole plant based diet. Is he familiar with the T Colin Campbell's The China Study and Dr Esselstyn's research? The less processed our food, the better. GMO crops are also a concern with Soy and Corn.
Also the CHIPs (Coronary Health Improvement Program) has been very successful. The only way to completely reverse heart disease is to cut out ALL animal products.
The people who pay attention to this don't need too. The people who should pay attention don't. This will not change. Get rid of the USDA. HHS too.
The only way that this will work is to make fruit and vegetables as easy and accessible like a bag of potato chips or goldfish crackers. It has to be fast, easy and affordable. Bags of carrots are good because I don't have to wash them, cut them up and they can stay out for a long period of time without going bad. But there are very few fruits and vegetables that do the same. Money plays a big part for our population in the US.
Our school lunches are a disgrace. They are full of fattening foods and hardly any vegetables or fruit. I've heard a lot of rhetoric, but no changes in our schools.
Why is it so difficult to find low sodium canned products? For example, canned tomatoes (whole, crushed & diced) generally have enough salt for your monthly allowance.
We are very careful to avoid as much salt as possible, canned products are the biggest challenge.
You are right! Organic and healthy is more expensive. We, the consumers need to demand these products at a reasonable price. We have the power! Farm subsidies are part of the problem.
It is still cheaper to buy expensive healthy food, rather than pay for long term medical care for chronic disease and the pain and suffering the standard american diet causes.
It's not rocket science and it is not genetics either. I have three skinny children (and two normal weight parents) with a morbidly obsese extended family. How do we do it? The only beverages in the home are milk and water. Desserts are occasional treat. Less processed foods in general. Encouragement only to eat when hungry. Less junk, more whole foods. Eggs or nuts are a better snack option than processed snacks.
I recently listened to a news story about types of infant formula and the relation of of rapid and excessive weight gain in infants whop are fed cow's milk formula. Can the failure of American women to breast feed thier infants be leading to the epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes?
Thank you, Julie Crow, Indianapolis Indiana
Almost half way through the show, about half the time spent talking about sodium. The actual evidence that sodium control is AT ALL important for the majority of the population is VERY WEAK. The evidence is much, much stronger that increased MAGNESIUM consumption is protective, and yet the word magnesium has not been mentioned once. Bad public health policy based on weak science, focusing on small or non-existent risks.
I'm a mom of two young boys. What products can I buy that help with making quick meals and are healthy for my kids? Reality is some nights I'm going to want to buy prepared foods. How can I make healthy choices? Thanks.
If the USDA wants us to watch what we are eating how about manditory labeling of the orgins of food ie the country. In addition make ALL GMO containing foods to be labeled! That way consumers can vote with their dollars about what is offered to we the consumers.
I'd be interested to know the panel's viewpoint on the nutritional differences between organic vs. non-organic produce and naturally, sustainably raised vs. industrialized animal products. Of particular concern are meat and dairy products from animals that are selectively bred to the point that the growth of their organs cannot keep up with the growth of their muscles, fed antibiotics solely to increase growth rate, fed chemicals to keep them alive and to increase growth rate, fed unnatural diets, and raised in such close confinement that they can't move and must stand knee-deep in their own waste.
I was surprised to learn the amount of sodium added to and injected in rotisserie chicken. I am trying to eat less sodium but labels don't usually contain this information.
Good points but how about manditory labeling of all GMO containing foods.
Note to the 'grocery manufacturers:'
Please provide low sodium canned beans, tomatoes & soup.
Thanks
Scrambled eggs are very quick and inexpensive. I have them at least once/week. Lots of healthy choices that are free are additives are available. Check out the Feingold Association (you can google them) for more information.
I am quite frustrated that the USDA won't admit openly that they are an organization that exists to promote the meat and dairy industry. Animal products are the reason that Americans are overweight, diabetic, cancerous and generally unhealthy. We've been brainwashed and out-and-out lied to by this government organization regarding the "healthfulness" and "necessity" of these foods in our diet, while, in actuality, they are killing us and our children.
What about books/people like science writer Gary Taubes who assert that there is no proof that a low fat/low meat diet works, and that carbs and high glycemic foods are the real problem. (Refer to his recent book, "Why We Get Fat-and What to Do About it - which basically supports the Adkins type of eating, fat, meat, cheese, vegetables, but very limited carbs)
one of the things that we need to realize it is expensive to eat healthy! since last year i have lost 52 pounds eating healthy for myself and my family...I was glad to know that my local Aldi store has started carrying more fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods but if I want to eat healthy on a budget as a single mother of three that is where I have to shop but even there my food bill is not cheap ...how will the FDA help out with this??
My daughter's public school has lunches that include glazed french toast, hot dogs, sloppy joes, breadsticks filled with cheese, nachos, and barbeque, all on processed bread products. It's also not cooked fresh, but shipped and then reheated. How can I try to bring about change in this unhealthy diet. I can pack my own daughter's lunch, but what about people on the food assistance program? Their children are destined to each high sodium, high sugar, processed food because they can't afford not to.
Has anyone visited a food pantry to see the selection of foods available to people?
Lots of canned, high sodium prepared foods..peanut butter loaded with added fats and sugars..and it goes on.
Food pantries rely on donations. Most often they are inexpensive items.
Anyone can grow vegetables, even the poorest. A window sill will work great for growing lettuce or radishes, or chard. Encouragement of community gardens would be a huge step toward solving this problem. If one can't afford seeds, then we should start donating them
The public library where I work is in the 9th poorest census tract in the U.S. Every Friday, with several community partners (including the Health Dept) we bring The Farm Fresh Mobile Market to the library (even in the dead of winter!). The market provides fresh vegetables and fruits for purchase – at a location convenient for the neighborhood! Neighbors can use their EBT card or cash for purchases. Free samples and recipe cards with healthy meal ideas are available.
Tina
Syracuse, NY
I don't think beef and other meats are the problem. I think industrialized farming beef and other meats are a problem.
A big part of the obesity problem is not knowing the calorie amounts in food. Now that some restaurants carry the number of calories in their food on their menu it has been very informative. You really don't know the calories until they tell you because some things i thought had more calories actually had less.
Also, portion control and exercise! I rarely eat processed food and i don't eat ammonia burgers from the fast food restaurants.
I just wanted to add that it is possible even on a low budget to provide nutritous meals for children. I pack for my daughter two fruits two vegetables a peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat bread low fat or nonfat soy yogurt and vegan cheese. she is lactose intolerant so she gets soy or rice milk to drink. It cost me around twenty bucks a week for her lunches.