An advisory panel of nutrition experts has provided new recommendations for the U.S. dietary guidelines, urging Americans to increase their intake of beans, peas, and lentils while cutting back on red and processed meats.
These recommendations were released by a 20-member panel tasked with advising the U.S. government on the 2025 edition of dietary guidelines, which will influence federal food programs and policy. The panel emphasized a diet high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and fish, along with vegetable oils that contain unsaturated fats. Conversely, they advised reducing consumption of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, refined grains, and saturated fats.
Notably, the panel chose not to address the growing consumption of ultraprocessed foods, citing insufficient evidence to recommend against them despite their links to health issues such as obesity. Likewise, the panel did not update the contentious guidelines on alcohol consumption, leaving that to two forthcoming independent reports expected to shed more light on moderate alcohol use.
This set of recommendations is consistent with prior dietary guidelines since 1980, focusing on reducing intake of foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat, according to Marion Nestle, a food policy expert. Nestle pointed out that the guidelines do not address calorie balance, particularly the issue of overconsumption from ultraprocessed foods, which remains a significant health challenge in the U.S.
Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert who participated in the panel, highlighted that this was the first time the guidelines considered a ‘health equity lens,’ taking into account social factors such as income, race, and culture, to ensure the guidelines are comprehensive for all population groups.
Initial reactions to the absence of a stance on ultraprocessed foods may clash with views from figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the expected U.S. Health and Human Services Department head, who has expressed concerns about dietary guideline panel members’ potential conflicts of interest and pledged to fight against ultraprocessed foods.
The report acknowledged that most Americans’ diets do not align with existing guidelines, contributing to diet-related health issues and food insecurity in millions of households. This situation poses significant challenges to the nation’s future health outlook.
Following these recommendations, officials from the Health and Human Services Department and the Agriculture Department will draft the final guidelines set for release next year. The new recommendations will be open for a 60-day public commentary period, followed by a public meeting to discuss the changes.
The updated dietary guidelines aim to foster healthier eating habits in the United States by promoting a diet rich in plant-based foods. With obesity and diet-related health issues on the rise, these guidelines could play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. However, the absence of recommendations on ultraprocessed foods and alcohol may generate ongoing debate. The finalized guidelines, expected next year, will potentially shape the nation’s approach to health and nutrition going forward.
Source: News4jax
