You are What You Eat

Today the Food and Drug Administration relased Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. The entire 112 page document and a 4 page summary are available at the FDA site http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm Executive Summary The press release notes: “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,” said Secretary Vilsack. “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 developing diet-related chronic disease. Improving our eating habits is not only good for every individual and family, but also for our country.” More consumer-friendly advice and tools, including a next generation Food Pyramid, will be released by USDA and HHS in the coming months. Below is a preview of some of the tips that will be provided to help consumers translate the Dietary Guidelines into their everyday lives: • Enjoy your food, but eat less. • Avoid oversized portions. • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. • Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk. • Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals – and choose the foods with lower numbers. • Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Good advice for all of us.