WASHINGTON, DC—American Dietetic Association (ADA) President Judith C. Rodriguez sent comments to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) regarding the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, encouraging the USDA and HHS to invest in efforts that will foster consistent implementation of the Dietary Guidelines.
Rodriguez provided comments and suggestions to strengthen the guidelines in several key areas, including a total diet approach to health; fats; fluids; food groups and more. She also explained how Americans can benefit from individual counseling provided by registered dietitians, who will play a critical role in translating science and helping the public to adopt eating patterns consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
According to the ADA, fewer than 5 % of Americans consume diets consistent with the Dietary Guidelines. Rodriguez suggests that the federal government needs to invest in consumer research and implementation strategies that assist adoption of the Dietary Guidelines and to study their efficacy. The group suggests the Dietary Guidelines should be revised every 10 years vs. the current 5-year interval to allow adequate time to communicate new changes to consumers so they can better understand them and make necessary behavior changes.
Other suggestions include:
- The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans should give clear guidance to consumers on how to replace energy-dense foods with nutrient-dense foods, including a precise definition of nutrient-dense foods and how to use that definition to select foods and build meals.
- Several terms, including “whole foods,” “processed foods,” and “plant-based diets” need better definition. For example, the ADA points out that raw, commodity food items, yet to undergo processing, may be considered “whole” foods, but this definition is limiting. It noted that not all processed foods are equal in terms of nutritional value or benefit. While most “whole” food like fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts are nutrient dense, other “whole” food items require processing, like wheat for whole-grain bread or homogenized and pasteurized milk. ADA says the term “plant-based diets” requires clarification. The DGAC report’s use of the term appears to refer to a diet based on fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, but it can be misinterpreted as recommending only a vegetarian or vegan diet.
- ADA suggests further research on how to communicate the DGAC emphasis on reducing saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids and increasing in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and recommendations on solid fat to consumers. Solid fats are listed on the food labels as saturated fat and trans fat, which are typically consumed as part of foods, not as separate fats. There could be challenges in reaching 7 % saturated fat intake for certain populations or programs without guidance about how to achieve these levels. An effort should be made to ensure that saturated fat is not replaced with a higher carbohydrate intake
- ADA recommends using the term “enriched grains” when referring to grains that are not defined as whole grains and finds the term “fiber-rich” whole grains confusing. It’s unclear whether this refers to whole grains that are excellent sources of fiber or includes grains with added fiber. Consumers should be educated about the benefits of whole grains, but this may not be effective if there is not an accepted definition of whole grain by the federal government.
- The DGAC recommendations to move from packaged foods to whole foods and to decrease sodium content of food supply require research to understand the impact of these changes on food safety.
