Government Recommendations

I am starting my research into the link between understanding food portions and obesity by first looking into the government's recommendations on nutrition . A Healthier You is a book published by the US Department of Health and Human Service that explains in plain language how the average person can eat healthier. All of the information in the book is based on the USDA Food Guide, otherwise known as the food pyramid. It explains various things including what is a calorie, how to read a food label, and even has a chart to help readers determine how many calories they should be consuming. There is also a long chapter on nutrients which goes into depth about food groups and what kinds of vitamins and minerals the body needs. There is practical advice as well, such as, “You could use up all your calories on a few high-calorie foods or drinks, but you will most likely not get the full range of nutrients your body needs. Healthy eating consists of mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat/fat free milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; is low in saturated and trans fats, salt, and added sugars.”

I was pleasantly surprised by the suggestions on how to easily add fruits and vegetables to your diet. Having some fruit with breakfast, adding veggies to a sandwich for lunch, or having a salad as an appetizer are small things that everyone can do, and I believe are easy enough for those who typically don’t eat fruit or vegetables on a given day. I am doubtful though that a person would get their daily recommended amounts using these suggestions.

According to the government "the USDA Food Guide is not a weight loss diet, but an illustrative example of how to eat according to the Dietary Guidelines and shows a range of caloric needs for different people of ages and genders." Its importance is undeniable since the Dietary Guidelines form the basis for all federal food, nutrition education, and information programs. While it contains a lot of various and detailed information, I found the diagrams on what Americans were consuming (2001-2002 consumption data) very interesting. It shows that adults were not eating nearly enough fruits and vegetables, nor milk or milk products. We also ate too many enriched grains (as opposed to whole grains), solid fats, and added sugars. The data also related that Americans consume more calories than they need without meeting the recommended amount of nutrients. This last statement seems very obvious to me and is one of my reasons in investigating nutrition to begin with. There are a lot of critics out there about Dietary Guidelines specifically when it comes to politics and business which I will write more about on a later date.