As Catholics around the world steer clear from the butcher aisles today, and every other Friday for the remainder of Lent, they'll be pleased to know that a panel of experts are in support of their new dietary habits. In fact, they're proposing that all Americans opt for more fruits and vegetables, rather than slowly killing themselves with poor food choices rich in cholesterol and fat.
The panel of experts working with the U.S. government and independent surveys released new recommendations Thursday, Feb. 19, recommending that new dietary guidelines be followed by Americans for the better fitness of the nation. While the panel experts say that citizens need not be worried about cholesterol itself, a shift in the dietary habits towards more vegetables, less fat and increased exercise.
"On average, the U.S. diet is low in vegetables, fruit and whole grains" the research report says. "And it's too high in calories saturated fat, sodium, refined grains and added sugars."
"About half of all Americans, 117 million individuals, have one or more preventable chronic diseases that relate to poor dietary patterns and physical inactivity including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and diet-related cancers. More than two-thirds of adults and nearly one-third of children and youth are overweight or obese."
The dietary guidelines arrive in support of new reports which detail the importance of low-fat diets such as the Mediterranean diet. And it paints quite a detailed picture with its 570-plus page report.
Every five years, the U.S. government enlists the aid of an independent panel of experts to advise the public on what they should eat. Then the public gets 45 days to weigh in on the new suggestions before the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Health & Human Services Department creates new guidelines at the end of the year. Some new highlights in this year's report include lowering restrictions on cholesterol-rich foods that may be okay to eat, and the advocation of urging children and adolescents to avoid energy drinks high in caffeine concentrations.
While the panel's new report for the most part reaffirms recommendations made in the 2010 guidelines, the experts hope that new action taken in response to their suggestions may lead to some beneficial changes for the American people. And in these changes, perhaps also have an effect on the overall health of nation.
"These devastating health problems have persisted for decades, strained U.S. healthcare costs, and focused the attention of our healthcare system on disease treatment rather than prevention" the researchers say. "They call for bold action and sound, innovative solutions."
