Wednesday, June 16, 2010

New 2010 Dietary Guidelines


Good morning everyone, I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday. We are almost half way to the weekend. ;-) I live for the weekend and more time with the hubby.

Proposed New Dietary Guidelines:

I was catching up on my nutrition and health reading this morning and saw this article about the new dietary guidelines (from USDA and HHS) and thought some of you may find it interesting since I did. If you want to read the guidelines in their entirety here is a link. You will notice the sodium recommendation has been lowered to 1,500mg of everyone not just those with health concerns and a corresponding increase in potassium. Additionally the guidelines are calling for a further reduction in saturated fat consumption and increased consumption of a plant based diet.

Per the report, “On average, Americans of all ages consume too few vegetables, fruits, high-fiber whole grains, low-fat milk and milk products, and seafood and they eat too much added sugars, solid fats, refined grains, and sodium.” While I disagree with the milk and seafood comment I think the rest of the statement is spot on.

The report goes on to say, “Plant proteins can be combined to form complete proteins if combinations of legumes and grains are consumed. Plant-based diets are able to meet protein requirements for essential amino acids through planning and offer other potential benefits, such as sources of fiber and nutrients important in a health-promoting diet.” This was strong language for an agency that has been pushing meat and milk consumption for decades.

While I don’t think the guidelines go far enough, particularly if the article is right that 70% of this country has diabetes, heart disease or is obese, I think it is a reasonable start. I can’t imagine the government telling American’s to eliminate meat or dairy due to the power of those industries and their lobbyists. But if people begin to make the connection between nutrition and health, and eat accordingly, I think we will see a huge change in the overall health of this country.

Obviously these recommendations aren’t going to make any changes in our diet since we have already taken it much further. However, I wanted to post these links so that you can share them with your loved ones that are still consuming the standard American diet.

Unrelated Note:

Today I am still working on the magazine project and making good headway. I go through my magazines every year or so and each time I do I am shocked by how many I have accumulated. I will need to space out taking them to the doctor’s office so they don’t get overwhelmed. *shakes head*  I always wonder why I don't purge these more often. ;-)

Dinner last night was a quick 20 minute dish. I had to whip it together quickly which means I didn’t measure or photograph it but I wanted the share the method for those times when you need healthy food fast. I water sautéed onion, garlic and fresh ginger. In approximately 3 minutes I added quinoa, water, turmeric, freshly ground black pepper and powdered ginger and put the lid on and brought the water to a boil then reduced it to a simmer. While the quinoa cooked I prepped veggies to go with the quinoa (I used French green beans and julienned bell peppers. I added these to the pot when there was 5 minutes remaining so they would steam on top of the quinoa. I finished the dish with cashews and cilantro (parsley would be good too). This would have been good with a few cooked beans as well. If you are going to add them do so with the veggies in the last five minutes since you only need them to heat them through.

I need to get back to my to do list but I will be back tonight with a dinner recipe post. My plan is to make dinner early so it doesn’t matter how late Dan gets home from work.  Wish me luck, LOL. Talk to all again soon.

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for the links. I think it's pretty obvious most people don't consume enough fruits, veggies, healthy grains. I guess I'm not sure how changing the guidelines will help with anything as people rarely follow the current guidelines.....

    I have to force myself to do the magazine purge every few months too. I go through them again, pull out any recipes, articles, etc. that I want and put those in binders. I try to pass the magazines off to others who might want to read them like my sister or friends.

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  2. I for one am glad to see our government acknowledge that we do not need as much meat and dairy as as they have been pushing on us. It's one small step. And maybe all those dairy drinkers will stop looking at me like I'm nuts.

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  3. Heather,

    I am hoping that some people may read the new guidelines and wake up. But I agree with you that my hope is probably unfounded. ;-)

    I need to follow your lead and purge more often. I thought about posting the sea of magazines that currently litter my floor in stacks by magazine but it is ridiculous. Not only do I need to join cookbooks anonymous but apparently also magazine anonymous, LOL. *rolls eyes*

    talk to you soon,
    Ali

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  4. She Woke Up,

    It is a small step, but I am with you that it is encouraging. But like Heather said now people need to put it into action.

    The tumor promoting casein in milk scares the heck out of me. As does the resulting increase in IGF-1 that happens when you drink milk. I wouldn't drink milk if you paid me. ;-) I really believe that most people have no idea of the dangers associated with consuming milk.

    Ali

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  5. "Plant proteins can be combined to form complete proteins if combinations of legumes and grains are consumed"

    *jumps up for joy* yes!!im going to show this to my mom, who is super nice and sweet and understanding... but just doesnt get that things have changed since she went to school. back when the usda was first starting to be contolled by the milk/dair/beef industry...actually, was there EVER a time when it wasnt..

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  6. Michelle,

    Glad I could help. I hope you mom is open to the idea. ;-)

    talk to you soon,
    Ali

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  7. I was reading this yesterday also. I was very discouraged yet not surprised by this-

    "When protein needs are high, as during growth and development, consumption of animal products will provide both greater quantity and quality of protein than plant products."

    Since most people are so fixated on protein as the most important part of their diet, many will see this as more reason to consume meat and dairy. Our previously vegetarian aunt recently decided that animal protein is higher quality than vegetable, so gave up being veg after many (50 or more) years.(However her diet has always been poor, she lived on processed foods, never ate beans, eats very few veg and fruit, and never exercises or gets any sun.)So her health has not been great and she thinks consuming animal products will improve her health. It really saddens me.

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  8. Janet,

    In the end I think people are looking for confirmation of what they want to believe. While I never intended to eat a vegan diet it happened because I was open to what the science indicated was most healthful. It sounds like your aunt needed to overhaul her unhealthy veg diet not add meat. Processed food, be it vegan or omni is never good which I know you agree with. But most people don't seem to want to hear that. I think it is very sad.

    Ali

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  9. Hi Ali. VERY interesting...baby steps, indeed, but that's about all we can get from the mainstream. The part about how “Plant proteins can be combined to form complete proteins" kind of made me roll my eyes, but like I said, I'll take what I can get.

    Do you ever make vision boards? They're the reason I save my old magazines, but after a couple of boards, it's usually time for the recycle bin.

    xoxo,
    LJ

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  10. LJ,

    I agree it is baby steps but more than we usually get in the mainstream.

    Great idea to save a few mags for vision boards. I have not made one in at least a year. My life has been too hectic. But since you reminded me I think this is a great time to make another. Thanks for the suggestion. :-)

    Ali

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  11. The new guidelines are a step in the right direction ... but it sure does seem to take forever for those things to change.

    I'm a magazine hoarder ... If it's a good magazine, it feels like throwing away a book ... I need to work on this lol ...

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  12. Lisa,

    Great question about why things seem to take so long to change. I wish I knew the answer myself.

    I am terrible with my magazines. Today I couldn't get rid of the old issues of Gourmet since it is now defunct. ;-) Thanks for letting me know it isn't just me.

    Ali

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