Nutritionists come down heavily on new US Dietary Guidelines

Nutritionists have heavily criticised the updated nutrition guidelines for the general public, which has been released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Health & Human Services (HHS).

According to Yale University nutritionist and founder of True Health Initiative David L Katz, the Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee report in February recommended plant foods being given more preferrence over animal-based foods, reported Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

However, Congress edited this from the new guidelines, which suggest people consume beef, other meats, dairy and eggs. Animal-based foods that contain higher levels of cholesterol and saturated fats.

Harvard University nutritionist health Walter Willett was reported by the publication as saying that the new 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, however, restricted added sugar, though they do not attempt to limit soda consumption.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has lauded the guidelines for the inclusion of lean meat as a nutritious form of protein.

According to the USDA, the newly released eighth edition of Dietary Guidelines intends to help people minimise the risk of obesity and prevent chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans aims to provide the public, policy makers, and health professionals with information that can help them make more informed choices with regards to their diets at home, school, work and in their communities, the agency stated.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia M Burwell said: "Protecting the health of the American public includes empowering them with the tools they need to make healthy choices in their daily lives. By focusing on small shifts in what we eat and drink, eating healthy becomes more manageable. The Dietary Guidelines provide science-based recommendations on food and nutrition so people can make decisions that may help keep their weight under control, and prevent chronic conditions, like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease."

According to the USDA, the guidelines promote the intake of vegetables, fruits, grains, low-fat and fat-free dairy, lean meats and other protein foods and oils, while urging limitations on the consumption of saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and sodium.

The recommendations urge the American public to consume less than 10% of calories per day from added sugars. It suggests less than 10% of calories intake per day from saturated fats. People have been advised to check the Nutrition Facts label to check for saturated fat levels. Foods that contain high levels of saturated fat include butter, whole milk, meats that are not labeled as lean, and tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil.

The dietary guidelines also include suggestions for sodium intake to be less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day for people above 14 years and less for those younger. The Nutrition Facts label tool can help detect the sodium levels in processed foods like pizza, pasta dishes, sauces, and soups, it stated.