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Panel Advises More Focus on Grains, Less on Sugar
NY Times ^ | August 12, 2004 | MARIAN BURROS

Posted on 08/12/2004 9:05:00 PM PDT by neverdem

The recommendations from the federal advisory panel revising Dietary Guidelines for Americans to help people improve their eating habits play down sugar and emphasize whole grains, two significant changes from the current guidelines, which were issued in 2000.

On the recommendation of the 13-member panel, which held its final meeting yesterday in Washington, sugar has disappeared as a separate entry. Advice on modifying sugar consumption, which had appeared in the previous five editions dating to 1980, has been folded into the overall category of carbohydrates.

For the first time, the guidelines recommend replacing consumption of some refined grains with whole grains, at least three servings a day.

In a specific response to the currently fashionable low carbohydrate diets, the panel said there was no value in using the glycemic index. Instead, it continues to recommend that to maintain weight the number of calories consumed should not exceed the number of calories expended.

The draft of the guideline, which directs government policy for programs like federal school lunches, has placed more emphasis on low-fat milk products and also advises the public to eat two servings of fish a week, especially those high in omega 3 fatty acids to reduce the risk of heart disease. Pregnant and lactating women and small children are advised to avoid eating fish with high mercury content.

Some changes are slight. For example, the recommendation on salt, linked to high blood pressure, has been reduced to 2,300 milligrams (one level teaspoon), from 2,400.

For the first time, the discussion of fat includes advice about transfatty acids, with the recommendation that their consumption be kept below 1 percent of calories a day. Advice about saturated fat and cholesterol remain the same: consumption of saturated fat below 10 percent of calories and of cholesterol below 300 milligrams a day. But a wider range in total fat intake, from 20 percent to 35 percent, has been included along with a greater range in carbohydrate consumption, from 45 percent to 65 percent.

With almost two-thirds of Americans either overweight or obese, the committee extended its advice about exercise. It left in place the recommendation to exercise at least 30 minutes a day but added that to lose weight, and for some, just to maintain weight, 60 minutes of exercise a day was advisable.

The advisory committee's report is expected to be submitted to the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services in about 10 days, with the final guidelines to be issued early next year. And for the first time, the two departments will prepare the guidelines themselves instead of leaving the work to an advisory committee. The food pyramid, which is also being redesigned, will be based on the final guidelines.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: diet; food; foodguidelines; guidelines; health
But a wider range in total fat intake, from 20 percent to 35 percent, has been included along with a greater range in carbohydrate consumption, from 45 percent to 65 percent.

The author seems to imply that you can avoid protein. I don't believe that's possible.

1 posted on 08/12/2004 9:05:00 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: fourdeuce82d; El Gato; JudyB1938; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Robert A. Cook, PE; lepton; LadyDoc; ...

ping


2 posted on 08/12/2004 9:05:55 PM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: neverdem
greater range in carbohydrate consumption, from 45 percent to 65 percent.

What are they trying to do with that - give the makers of diabetes products even MORE business?

3 posted on 08/12/2004 9:07:37 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Time's fun when you're having flies. -- Kermit the Frog)
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To: neverdem

Producers file lawsuit against U.S. Government



CFCN.ca


POSTED AT 12:20 PM Thursday, August 12


A group of Canadian cattlemen is launching a multi million dollar claim against the U.S. Government. Producers have filed a $150-million lawsuit against the U.S. for keeping the border closed.

The group claims it lost millions since the border closed in May of 2003 after a case of B-S-E was discovered in Alberta.

The Canadian Cattlemen for Fair Trade argue the U.S. is violating the North American Free Trade Agreement and plan to file more claims under NAFTA.


4 posted on 08/12/2004 9:24:32 PM PDT by take
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To: neverdem

I just don't care anymore. Every day the "experts" recommend something different. I eat whatever I want to, in moderate quantities.


5 posted on 08/12/2004 11:03:26 PM PDT by GATOR NAVY
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To: GATOR NAVY

NAUGHTIUS' GUSTATORY MANIFESTO:
We are, by the Grace of God, the breadbasket of the planet. Yet, like spoiled children with too many choices, many have become neurotic about anything relating to food. Families sit at table, each one eating a solitary meal because each is following a different fad diet.

There is a kind of agreement (probably misinformed) about what kinds of food, in enormous amounts, are potentially bad for you. But, when the pancake is flipped and the discussion begins of what kind of food is good, a tidalwave of quackery and crankery washes intelligent discussion out the door. It becomes like the Wars of Religion and produces far more heat than light.

Eaten in moderation, all sanitary food is "health food." Avoid quackery. As Thomas Jefferson wrote,"Eat moderately of what is in season." Save your health and your purse by staying out of the hands of cranks. Thank God for the good food on your table and the blessings of your country.


6 posted on 08/12/2004 11:39:18 PM PDT by NaughtiusMaximus (A Progressive is only a Liberal with an Earl Scheib paintjob.)
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To: NaughtiusMaximus

Sounds good to me.


7 posted on 08/13/2004 1:00:04 AM PDT by GATOR NAVY
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To: neverdem

The bakery in my neighborhood makes a *wicked* whole-wheat cinnamon pecan sticky bun - does that count?


8 posted on 08/13/2004 6:43:03 AM PDT by valkyrieanne
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To: NaughtiusMaximus

Amen!


9 posted on 08/13/2004 9:05:14 AM PDT by hocndoc (Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)
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To: take

Send the army deserters and tre arrow down first and then we'll talk.


10 posted on 08/13/2004 9:11:14 AM PDT by Cold Heart
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To: neverdem

As if getting the Food Pyramid "right" will eliminate or reduce obesity. Um hm. Sure. As if we even NEED the USDA to design a "food pyramid". Most of us know how to eat properly, but many just choose not to eat properly and get enough exercise. How many tax dollars are being wasted on this absurdity?


11 posted on 08/13/2004 9:14:13 AM PDT by .38sw
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To: .38sw

"How many tax dollars are being wasted on this absurdity?"

Can you count to infinity?

http://forum.chronwatch.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8190


12 posted on 08/13/2004 9:23:18 AM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: GATOR NAVY

Dear Gator Navy,
Are you a Florida Gator?


13 posted on 08/13/2004 1:20:04 PM PDT by mean lunch lady (Sometimes- the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.)
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