The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a panel of external experts advising the USDA and HHS, recommended in June that the guidelines should encourage men to reduce alcohol consumption by reducing the government’s definition of “moderate consumption” of two drinks a day for one. (At the time, the panel recommended maintaining the definition of moderate drinking for women, one serving a day.)
Rejecting stricter alcohol, added sugar advice: Ultimately, government officials decided not to adopt the more stringent alcohol recommendation, which generated a furious reaction and lobbying by the alcohol industry.
The advisory committee also suggested that the guidelines should be tougher against added sugars, but the USDA and HHS decided to uphold the Obama-era advice that people should try not to consume more than 10% of their calories from added sugars. (The committee recommended lowering the limit further to 6 percent).
USDA and HHS officials said there was insufficient evidence to recommend stricter limits for alcohol and added sugars, but still emphasized that people cut both. The agencies said more research should be done.
New advice for babies, young children, pregnant and lactating women: For the first time, the guidelines explicitly include advice for babies and young children, as well as for pregnant and lactating women.
The government recommends that babies be fed exclusively with human milk until 6 months of age, when possible, and if they are not fed infant formula enriched with iron. When babies are ready to start adding solid foods, usually around 6 months, the government recommends that caregivers focus on nutrient-rich foods to ensure that babies receive enough essential nutrients, such as iron and zinc. Babies and young children should avoid foods with added sugar and limit foods that are high in sodium.
Babies should continue to receive human milk for the first year of life and for longer, if desired and feasible, the guidelines say.
The government recommends that pregnant and lactating women consume a variety of nutrient-rich foods and drinks, including fruits and vegetables, seafood, eggs, lean meats, beans, lentils and low-fat dairy products, paying special attention to essential nutrients , including folate / folic acid, iron, iodine and choline.
New theme: Nutrient density: The theme for the 2020-2025 edition of the guidelines is “Make every bite count”, a message that aims to encourage the choice of nutrient-rich foods and drinks, something that is particularly important for babies and young children.
The guidelines recommend that 85% of an individual’s calories should come from “nutrient-rich” foods in five categories: vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products and proteins. Only 15 percent of calories should come from foods with a high content of added sugars, salt or saturated fat or alcoholic beverages (this represents between 250 to 350 calories for most people).
At a news conference, health officials acknowledged that it is difficult to communicate to the public what “nutrient-dense” means. Health officials have suggested that small changes can be made, such as choosing sparkling water over soda; simple grated wheat over frozen type; or low-fat yogurt with fruit instead of whole-grain yogurt with added sugars.
Other examples include: choosing dark green, red and orange vegetables, whole fruits, eggs, lean meats, seafood, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and fortified soy products.
The government has also relaunched a website and mobile app to help Americans make healthier choices.
Political context: Dietary guidelines, which are updated every five years, have long been the subject of political struggles and intense lobbying because they govern what is served in major federal nutrition programs and strongly influence nutritional messages for millions of Americans, although most people do not follow the government’s addendum guidelines.
Almost three-quarters of American adults are overweight or obese. About 60% have one or more diet-related illnesses. Childhood obesity also remains a major problem, with 40% of children and adolescents overweight or obese.
The guidelines have been the target of intense criticism in recent years. Proponents of low-carbohydrate diets argue that the council is based on failed science and has made the country less healthy as obesity or other diet-related illnesses continue to worsen. Proponents of the plant-based diet believe that the guidelines wrongly promote animal foods and want to see more emphasis on alternative plants and proteins. Sustainability advocates were dismayed that the government refused to include environmental considerations in the guidelines.