It’s official: eat less, America

Friday, May 27, 2011  4:24 pm

The new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released earlier this year (yes, in 2011). The details of the report remain a tortured dance of recommendations to avoid the ubiquitous processed foods at the heart of the obesity epidemic – without offending the processed food industry. BUT the truly big truly good news  is that finally, even the USDA (whose role, in addition to telling Americans what to eat, is to promote our agricultural commodities), agrees that Americans need to eat less. Avoid sugary drinks, the guidelines say, in favor of water, unsweetened teas and other healthier options.

OK: yes, the guidelines remain too heavily influenced by the processed food industry. And yes, the guidelines do not actually reflect the evidence on the healthiest way to eat (for that my favorite is the Healing Foods Pyramid from U of MI).  BUT can we take a moment to appreciate all involved who stood up to the monied big food  interests in the name of health? Ho boy those committee members must have had some hot pressure not to tell Americans to eat less.

For how nutrition thinkers are reacting to the new guidelines, I always like to check in with NYU Prof and Author of a growing number of compelling offerings on food-politics and policy, Marion Nestle, PhD. In her blog she posted a nice roundup of reactions from FoodNavigator.com.

I really think Mark Bittman is in the zone these day – I love what he’s writing. He was not pleased with the new guidelines, and shares his frustration in the NYTimes Opinionator page.

Be well.