1970 silver art
31st January 2011, 04:19 PM
I will freely admit that I need to make some major changes to my diet to get under 1500 milligrams of salt a day but it is doable for me.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2011/01/new_federal_dietary_guidelines.html
Posted at 10:00 AM ET, 01/31/2011
New federal dietary guidelines released
By Rob Stein
Federal officials Monday released the government's latest advice to Americans on what they should be eating, including specific new recommendations to limit salt intake.
The departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services jointly issued the first updated version of the federal government's official Dietary Guidelines for Americans in five years. They are required by federal law to be updated every five years.
Although most people have probably never read the guidelines, they have a broad impact on Americans' lives.They dictate what is served to students for breakfast and lunch. They influence the advice people on food stamps get for what to buy. They affect the information on nutrition labels that are ubiquitous at the supermarket. And they play a key role in the education materials that people get in community centers, doctors' offices and hospitals.
Because they are so influential, they are typically the focus of intense political lobbying every five years when they undergo official revisions. And this time around is no exception. Proposals to issue strict new warnings about salt intake have come under heavy criticism, for example.
But with so many Americans overweight and obese, experts are hoping the newest version might finally help get the message across about how to eat a more healthful diet.
"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 we can no longer ignore," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement released with the new guidelines. "These new and improved dietary recommendations give individuals the information to make thoughtful choices of healthier foods in the right portions and to complement those choices with physical activity. The bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of development diet-related chronic disease. Improving our eating habits is not only good for every individuals and family, but also for our country."
The new guidelines include 23 specific recommendations for the general population and six recommendations for specific groups such as pregnant women.
Among the recommendations are:
-- No one should consume more than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day. Those who are age 51 or older and those who are African American or have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams per day. This second group accounts for about half the U.S. population.
-- Everyone should consume less than 10 percent of their calories from saturated fats by replacing them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
-- Everyone should consume less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day.
-- Minimize trans fatty acid consumption by limiting foods that contain synthetic trans fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils.
-- Reduce calories from solid fats and sugars added to food.
-- Alcohol should be consumed only in moderation, which means up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
-- Eat more fruits and vegetables. A good rule of thumb is that half the food on your plate should be fruits and vegetables.
-- Consume more fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, such as yogurt and cheese.
-- Consume more seafood and replace some meat and poultry with seafood. Breastfeeding women should consume 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week from a variety of seafood types. But breast-feeding women should limit their intake of white tuna to 6 ounces per week because of its high mercury content and not eat tilefish, shark, swordfish and king mackerel at all for the same reason.
"Helping Americans incorporate these guidelines into their everyday lives is important to improving the overall health of the American people," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a written statement. "The new Dietary Guidelines provide concrete action steps to help people live healthier, more physically active and longer lives."
The guidelines were prepared by a special committee of experts that conducted an exhaustive review of the scientific literature about diet, exercise and health, as well as hundreds of public comments and testimony at a series of public meetings.
Source:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2011/01/new_federal_dietary_guidelines.html
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2011/01/new_federal_dietary_guidelines.html
Posted at 10:00 AM ET, 01/31/2011
New federal dietary guidelines released
By Rob Stein
Federal officials Monday released the government's latest advice to Americans on what they should be eating, including specific new recommendations to limit salt intake.
The departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services jointly issued the first updated version of the federal government's official Dietary Guidelines for Americans in five years. They are required by federal law to be updated every five years.
Although most people have probably never read the guidelines, they have a broad impact on Americans' lives.They dictate what is served to students for breakfast and lunch. They influence the advice people on food stamps get for what to buy. They affect the information on nutrition labels that are ubiquitous at the supermarket. And they play a key role in the education materials that people get in community centers, doctors' offices and hospitals.
Because they are so influential, they are typically the focus of intense political lobbying every five years when they undergo official revisions. And this time around is no exception. Proposals to issue strict new warnings about salt intake have come under heavy criticism, for example.
But with so many Americans overweight and obese, experts are hoping the newest version might finally help get the message across about how to eat a more healthful diet.
"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 we can no longer ignore," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement released with the new guidelines. "These new and improved dietary recommendations give individuals the information to make thoughtful choices of healthier foods in the right portions and to complement those choices with physical activity. The bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of development diet-related chronic disease. Improving our eating habits is not only good for every individuals and family, but also for our country."
The new guidelines include 23 specific recommendations for the general population and six recommendations for specific groups such as pregnant women.
Among the recommendations are:
-- No one should consume more than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day. Those who are age 51 or older and those who are African American or have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams per day. This second group accounts for about half the U.S. population.
-- Everyone should consume less than 10 percent of their calories from saturated fats by replacing them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
-- Everyone should consume less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day.
-- Minimize trans fatty acid consumption by limiting foods that contain synthetic trans fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils.
-- Reduce calories from solid fats and sugars added to food.
-- Alcohol should be consumed only in moderation, which means up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
-- Eat more fruits and vegetables. A good rule of thumb is that half the food on your plate should be fruits and vegetables.
-- Consume more fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, such as yogurt and cheese.
-- Consume more seafood and replace some meat and poultry with seafood. Breastfeeding women should consume 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week from a variety of seafood types. But breast-feeding women should limit their intake of white tuna to 6 ounces per week because of its high mercury content and not eat tilefish, shark, swordfish and king mackerel at all for the same reason.
"Helping Americans incorporate these guidelines into their everyday lives is important to improving the overall health of the American people," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a written statement. "The new Dietary Guidelines provide concrete action steps to help people live healthier, more physically active and longer lives."
The guidelines were prepared by a special committee of experts that conducted an exhaustive review of the scientific literature about diet, exercise and health, as well as hundreds of public comments and testimony at a series of public meetings.
Source:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2011/01/new_federal_dietary_guidelines.html