Posted on 05/27/2004 12:18:33 PM PDT by FourPeas
WASHINGTON (AP) — A revised food pyramid coming from the government to guide Americans' eating habits should recommend more fish and fiber and fewer refined grains such as white bread, federal advisers decided Thursday.
The advisers, who were instructed by the Agriculture Department to shift the focus of the guidelines from maintaining a healthy diet to losing weight, also recommended that people exercise more and watch less television.
As for food, they said the suggested amount of salmon and other fish containing heart-protecting omega-3 fatty acids should be doubled to two servings a week of 6 ounces to 8 ounces each.
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee was to have completed its recommendations this week. But the panel will need another meeting to finish because resolving differences over some recommendations was taking more time than thought.
"They are trying to translate the scientific data into lay language," said Eric Hentges, director of the Agriculture Department's Center for Nutrition, Policy and Promotion. He is responsible for illustrating the guidelines as an update to the food pyramid, which is due next year.
While the 13-member committee reached conclusions for fish-eaters, the advice was less specific for people who do not like fish or those whose diets preclude it.
The committee stood by current guidance that people should eat lots of different — but healthful — things. For example, fiber can reduce the risk of heart disease. Good sources of fiber include whole grains, fruits and vegetables, as opposed to refined grains such as white bread.
Turning attention to exercise, the committee said adults should do 30 minutes to 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity on most days. The advisers also said that 20 minutes can promote health and fitness and help maintain weight.
Researchers also have found that young people should be moderately or vigorously active for at least an hour a day to help them grow strong and fit. The advisers endorsed that guidance.
They also suggested that everyone get off the couch, especially children and adolescents.
People who are active can consume more of discretionary calories, such as sugary or fatty foods or alcohol, the committee said.
Before the recommendations become final, the secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services must accept them.
Don't some types of fish contain lots of mercury and pcps(?)
Hmmm. More catfish, less hushpuppies? Don't know if I can do that.
Funny how the Ag Dept will follow along with the latest trends... low-fat trend 10 years ago led to the food pyramid. Now the Atkins fad is leading to a revised food pyramid.
A person here at work was telling me how everyone in her church loves the Atkins diet. My response: "Well you know those church people... they'll believe anything."
Atkins bump ;)
Big difference between "grains" and "unrefined grains." That's my biggest beef (oh, look, a pun) with some of the low-carb plans. Atkins and others rightly criticize overconsumption of simple carbs such as white flour, and especially of concentrated simple carbs such as sugar, which are assimilated far to quickly, and therefore are prone to being converted to fat. Complex carbs (in reasonable quantities, of course) should not be so demonized.
Not only mercury, but I believe that some contain arsenic (remember that evil chemical that Bush is pouring in our childrens' water supply?).
But I think that since most Americans don't eat much fish, the benefits of eating fish outweigh any dangers.
Yes, and other heavy metals.
Not to mention the polluted waters from our overcrowded population.
Question for anyone who might know. Do anchoivies have omega-3?
Arsenic is similar to selenium in that, while it is toxic in anything but trace amounts, it is an essential micronutrient and there are known arsenic deficiency syndromes. A few places in the world need augmented arsenic in their diet, much like iodine.
I've often wondered if the zero-tolerance approach to arsenic in ground water, even when it is WELL under levels known to have toxic effects, will eventually lead to broad arsenic deficiency in the general population. While arsenic is found in some vegetables, I believe it is generally not bioavailable and groundwater is a major source of arsenic intake. One of the major effects of arsenic deficiency is reduced fertility.
Heh Arsenic can be beneficial
At this point I'm to eating whatever I damn well want, with all the contridary information.
So, those criticizing President Bush for his stance on arsenic reduction should definitely have their arsenic levels drastically reduced?
I hate to get all libertarian or anything, but couldn't this function be entrusted to the private sector? I bet we'd save billions!
Egg yolks have a lot of Omega-3
They're not "demonized" in Atkins, but they're not appropriate during the weight-loss phases of the plans because they're still relatively high in net carbs. However, when you start adding carbs back into your diet in the maintenance phase, whole grains are considered a good thing because they're relatively low on the glycemic index.
Atkins may be currently popular, but it's no "fad", having a 30-year track record of success. Atkins suggested changes to the food pyramid in his books, and it looks like the DoA is starting to agree a little.
yes
Thanks. Now when my wife complains that I eat them, I'll tell her it's for my health.
"Do anchoivies have omega-3?"
I do not know, but anchoivies, or the juice from anchoivies (used in Caesar salads) can totally incapacitate a fellow with gout.
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