Release of New Dietary Guidelines

Have you heard about the release of the new USDA Dietary Guidelines? 

    

If not, I am here to tell you about them and what the goal is for putting them into place. The USDA has modified the guidelines in order to help Americans prevent chronic disease and reduce the rate of obesity. With small, sustainable changes to our diet, we have the ability to prevent chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension and Heart Disease. Due to advancements in scientific understanding about healthy eating choices, the modifications to the guidelines promote a lifetime of positive health outcomes and lasting improvements. These changes encourage Americans to take advantage of the diversity of products that are available to us thanks to our local farmers and agriculture. 

The new changes focus on five topics to help improve the American diet. 

1. Follow healthy eating across the lifespan.
2. Focus on a variety of nutrient dense foods.
3. Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats and reduce sodium intake.
4. Healthier food and beverage choices.
5. Support health eating patters for all people.

The dietary guidelines specifically recommend the following food choices and restrictions:

• Variety of vegetables: dark green, red and orange
• Whole fruits
• Grains with at least half of them being whole grains
• Fat-free or reduced fat dairy: yogurt cottage cheese, milk
• Oils from plants
• Less than 10% of daily calories coming from added sugars: this does not included sugars that are naturally in foods, such as fruit
• Less than 10% of daily calories coming from saturated fats: foods like butter and whole milk
• Less than 2,300mg of sodium per day for individuals over the age of 14. Those younger then 14 should have even less

When attempting to make these changes, everyone, no matter your age, sex or occupation, can help in making these changes and influencing others' lives.

• Home and Family: plan out your meals and cook them at home; plan activities with family and friends that are active
• School: schools can improve the food choices they have in the cafeteria and in vending machines; provide nutrition education programs; increase physical activity programs and encourage more engagement in them
• Workplace: organize walk breaks or lunches; provide healthy options at meetings; offer wellness programs and incentives
• Community: attend or organize farmers markets; provide safe areas that promote walk-able communities

With these new guidelines, the USDA is encouraging us to eat more of a variety of foods, stay active and reduce toxins entering our body. These are changes we can make and sustain for a lifetime without making huge restrictions on ourselves. With this, we can help prevent the onset of disease and live healthier, longer lives.

If you need help with these, or deciding what foods are good and bad, come see our MOG staff! We are more than happy to help!