Some of the country’s top experts have been assembled to help figure this out. During the next two days, a panel of scientists, nutritionists, epidemiologists and physicians will be meeting in Washington, DC to review the best scientific evidence to help craft the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This is the third meeting of the 13-member committee and I’ll be reporting back on some of the discussions during this public hearing.
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In the meantime, here’s what Adam Drewnowksi, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington, told the Washington Post. He’s one of the experts that will be addressing the panel this week.
- “My hope is that they will at least take the economics of nutrition into account, really think through about real foods for real people. Dietary choices are economic decisions, like everything else…. I’d like to see a focus on affordable, nutrient-rich foods by category. They do exist; not everything nutritious is expensive. For instance, with vegetables the focus has been on fresh salad greens. But there are cheaper vegetables that provide a whole range of nutrients: cabbage, carrots, potatoes….We need to advise people what those foods are, where you can get them and how to cook them. It’s a diet for a new Depression. Foods we’ve always know are good and nutritious — and inexpensive. ”
- “Unless we aid the public in identifying foods that are nutrient-rich and affordable — and are enjoyable in the mainstream of the American diet — none of this will work….When we want to change the population’s diet for the better, everybody says stop eating oils, sugar, and go with leafy greens. That’s dramatic. Instead, nudge your diet toward foods that are more rich in nutrients of interest.”
- “You have to know something about nutrition — and you have to know how to cook. It takes a bit of time, but not an inordinate amount. In addition to time, though, it takes some education, cooking skills, culinary culture and infrastructure: pots, pans, a stove. For a lot of people, those things are slipping out of reach…. Eating well is a matter of knowledge, money and time. Some people are zero for three.”
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My personal feeling is that many people are “desensitized” to the Dietary Guidelines. I think they have a major PR problem and no matter what the results are — they will get criticism. Low carb advocates will say they are making people fat. Activists will say that the food industry has USDA in thier pocket…
I 100% agree with what Drenowski is saying… advice where people choose foods because of their nutrition quality. He is right about the price misconception. I’m actually working on a research project with some dietetic interns on examples of healthy, affordable meals – the new “depression” diet I guess…
I do think there needs to be more coordination between the guidelines and a social marketing campaign — whether it is government or a private public partnership.
People need to “want” to do something different. In my experience, they either aren’t ready and they have blinders on… they don’t move or eat right. I have clients who get 1,000 steps a day – 10% of the recommended minimum! Or.. they are ready… they get the message… and they take it to overkill… no HFCS (its poison), gluten free (even if no allergies or intolerances)…. so it is to the point of overthinking good nutrition.
Education is key… put nutrition into schools. Fund school dietitians. Fund well visits with RDs and community education programs.
Integrate. Integrate. Integrate.
We can’t afford silos with the scarce dollars our government uses toward nutrition.
In health…
Rebecca
Hi, I came here via Rebecca’s Blog and I’m thrilled to find out about yours.
I have become desensitized to the dietary guidelines. It’s sad to see how a process that goes into so much scientific query turns into a watered down document so that it appeases most special interest groups. I don’t think it is all bad, but not definitive enough. I think it works great as a guidance for other policy initiatives (such as school meals), but not for the general public (those who are still considered healthy anyway). If the dietary guidelines actually come up with a way to address the points you highlighted (and the third one especially resonates with me), I will look into it again.
As long as the fast food places make it so easy and convincing that what they sell is appropriate as part of a daily diet…..
As my friend says, “People will change their religion faster than their dietary habits.”
I hope there is a way to convince people one way of tightening their belts (pun intended) during this recession is learning to cook balanced meals. Good healthy food requires forethought when packing lunches, etc. Something many stay at home moms do well and have for generations, but it’s hard for the family that spends most of it’s day away from home.
The dietary guidelines have unfortunately been influenced not only by science, but also by the lobbyists of every interest group. I hope this time it will be different. Is there hope?
As to the price of food: Part of the problem is policy. I think we subsidize many of the wrong foods. Subsidized grain becomes the cheap processed foods (made from processed corn and soy), and this subsidized grain is also fed to factory farm livestock, we’re therefore subsidizing meat (which Americans eat too much of). Current policies help make fast food as cheap as it is. I don’t think farmers who grow fruits and veggies get financial support.