Trump administration rejects stricter advice on alcohol, added sugars

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a panel of outside experts that advises USDA and HHS, recommended in June that the guidelines should urge men to cut back on alcohol by reducing the government’s definition of “moderate drinking” from two drinks per day to one. (At the time, the panel recommended keeping the definition of moderate drinking the same for women, at one drink per day.)

Rejecting stricter alcohol, added sugars advice: Government officials ultimately decided to not adopt the stricter alcohol recommendation, which had sparked furious pushback and lobbying from the alcohol industry.

The advisory committee had also suggested the guidelines should take a harder line against added sugars, but USDA and HHS decided to keep the Obama-era advice that individuals try to not consume more than 10 percent of their calories from added sugars. (The committee had recommended dropping the limit down even further to 6 percent).

USDA and HHS officials said there wasn’t enough evidence to recommend stricter limits for alcohol and added sugars, but they still emphasized that people cut back on both. The agencies said more research should be done.

New advice for infants, toddlers, pregnant and lactating women: For the first time, the guidelines explicitly include advice for infants and toddlers as well as pregnant and lactating women.

The government recommends that infants should be exclusively fed human milk until 6 months of age, when possible, and if not then fed iron-fortified infant formula. When infants are ready to begin adding solid foods, usually around 6 months, the government recommends that caregivers focus on nutrient dense foods to ensure babies get enough key nutrients like iron and zinc. Infants and toddlers should avoid foods with added sugars and limit foods that are higher in sodium.

Infants should continue receiving human milk through the first year of life and longer, if desired and feasible, the guidelines say.

The government recommends pregnant and lactating women consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages, including fruits and vegetables, seafood, eggs, lean meats, beans, lentils and low-fat dairy, while paying special attention to crucial nutrients, including folate/folic acid, iron, iodine and choline.

New theme: Nutrient density: The theme for the 2020-2025 edition of the guidelines is “Make Every Bite Count,” a message that’s meant to encourage choosing nutrient dense foods and beverages, something that is particularly important for infants and toddlers.

The guidelines recommend that 85 percent of an individual’s calories should come from “nutrient dense” foods in five categories: vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and protein. Just 15 percent of calories should come from foods that are higher in added sugars, salt or saturated fat or alcoholic beverages (this pencils out to between 250 to 350 calories for most people.)

In a media briefing, health officials acknowledged it is tricky to communicate what “nutrient dense” means to the public. Health officials suggested small shifts can be made, such as choosing sparkling water over soda; plain shredded wheat over the frosted kind; or plain low-fat yogurt with fruit instead of full fat yogurt with added sugars.

Other examples include: choosing dark green, red and orange vegetables, whole fruits, eggs, lean meats, seafood, whole grains, low-fat dairy and fortified soy products.

The government has also relaunched a website and mobile app to help Americans make healthier choices.

Political context: The dietary guidelines, which are updated every five years, have long been the subject of political fights and intense lobbying because they govern what’s served in major federal nutrition programs and heavily influence nutrition messaging for millions of Americans, though most people do not follow the government’s advice.

Nearly three-fourths of American adults are overweight or obese. About 60 percent have one or more diet-related disease. Childhood obesity remains a major problem as well, with 40 percent of children and teens overweight or obese.

The guidelines have been the subject of intense criticism in recent years. Advocates of low-carbohydrate diets argue the advice is based on flawed science and has made the country less healthy, as obesity or other diet-related diseases continue to worsen. Plant-based diet advocates believe the guidelines wrongly promote animal foods and want to see more emphasis on plants and alternative proteins. Sustainability advocates have been dismayed that the government has so far refused to include environmental considerations in the guidelines.

Source:Politico