The Rejected Dietary Guidelines by Cindy Weinberger MS, RD

Health & F tness

The Rejected Dietary Guidelines

Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN

This January not only marked the start of a fresh, new, and hopefully calmer year, it is also the start of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated every five years. They are developed by the federal government and are created with evidence-based data to help Americans make healthy choices in their daily lives in order to help prevent chronic disease and enjoy a healthy diet. The guidelines have a wide impact on the population –from shaping school lunches to influencing what food companies produce, and, especially this year, what food distributions can include. We should all be following the dietary guidelines or at least trying our best to adhere to them.

The recommended changes for the 2020-2025 guidelines were released in July and reviewed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services. These committees have the ultimate word in what changes can be made to the guidelines. One surprising change that did not get approved was significant cuts of sugar and alcohol consumption. The scientific committee that proposes the dietary guidelines is made up of 20 academics and doctors. This committee recommended that added sugars in the diet should be limited to 6% of daily calories, instead of 10% in the current guidelines. The association between added sugar consumption and the rising rates of obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease is quite clear cut. The committee also proposed to limit alcoholic beverage consumption to one drink per day, down from two drinks per day (for men – the previous guidelines already recommended only one drink per day for women). Alcohol consumption is also linked to health-related diseases. Alcohol intake can increase blood pressure, elevate triglycerides, damage the liver, and may increase the risk of several types of cancer. Plus, alcoholic beverages are a source of calories, which may cause weight gain and thus indirectly increase the risk of other health conditions.

Despite the recommendations, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services feel that “the new evidence is not substantial enough to support changes to quantitative recommendations for either added sugars or alcohol,” said Brandon Lipps, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at the USDA, and therefore rejected the proposed changes.

Some feel that the committee’s decision to reject the changes was a response to business groups. Mr. Lipps assured the public that “to the extent that stakeholders provided input about whether the science was being properly reviewed, we took that into consideration. We committed to issuing guidelines based on sound science in an open and transparent process. We believe that, at the end of the day, that’s what we did.”

As a dietitian, I am somewhat disappointed by these rejections, as we are all well aware that poor diet

Now, more than ever, Americans should be health conscious and taking health recommendations seriously.

is linked to the rising rates of obesity and chronic illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 74% of adults are overweight or obese. About 40% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Aside from obesity being strongly linked to a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses, those who are overweight and obese are at-risk for complications from COVID-19. Now, more than ever, Americans should be health conscious and taking health recommendations seriously.

Just because the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for 2020-2025 were not changed to lower the recommended amount of added sugar consumption, you can still attempt to reduce your added sugar intake. The average American consumes more than 13% of daily calories from added sugars, while the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories. Added sugars are primarily found in sugar sweetened beverages, refined grain snacks, and desserts. Natural sugars in fruit are not added sugars and do not need to be limited for this reason. To help reduce your added sugar intake, enjoy sugary desserts in moderation and substitute sugary desserts for fresh fruit whenever possible – or for the best results, skip dessert altogether.

Additionally, try to cut out sugar in your coffee or teas. Another way to reduce your added sugar consumption is to switch from sweetened yogurt with added fruit to plain low-fat yogurt. You can then add fresh fruit on your own for a nutritious, naturally sweet option.

Try to go through the foods that you regularly eat and see in what areas you can cut down on the added sugars.

Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN, is a Master’s level Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. She graduated CUNY Brooklyn College receiving a Bachelor’s in Science and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences. She is currently a dietitian at Boro Park Center and a private nutrition consultant. She can be reached at CindyWeinberger1@ gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @ EatBetterandFeelBetter.