Comments on: What Should Americans Eat?

By: Nutrition Unplugged | Changing the Way America Eats

Nutrition Unplugged | Changing the Way America Eats — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:57:25 +0000

[...] by Janet on November 9, 2009 Every five years the government assigns a group of experts to scour the latest scientific evidence to help form the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These experts convened in Washington , DC last week and the meeting was made public via a webinar. This was the fourth meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. I wrote about the previous meetings in posts titled Debating Our Diets and What Should Americans Eat. [...]

By: Five For Fridays - May 1, 2009 | LittleStomaks

Five For Fridays - May 1, 2009 | LittleStomaks — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:24:12 +0000

[...] In today’s difficult economic environment, this attitude could not be more timely. This article on Nutrition Unplugged reflects the current mood among some experts who point out that healthful [...]

By: Nutrition Unplugged | Debating Our Diets

Nutrition Unplugged | Debating Our Diets — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:32:00 +0000

[...] and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). I appreciated all of the comments from my earlier post, and I understand some of the cynicism. But I will remain optimistic. The group has emphasized [...]

By: Dr Ayala

Dr Ayala — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:03:54 +0000

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.

By: LizzieK8

LizzieK8 — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:39:57 +0000

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.

By: Renata

Renata — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:16:15 +0000

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.

By: Do the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Have a PR Problem? « Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield’s Blog

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:47:47 +0000

[...] was just reading a post by Janet Helm, a fellow RD at Nutrition Unplugged, and it inspired me to write a [...]

By: Rebecca Scritchfield

Rebecca Scritchfield — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:41:28 +0000

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