The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has submitted its recommendations to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Vilsack and Burwell say the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been at the core of efforts to promote the health and well-being of American families. The public is encouraged to review the report and provide comments at www.DietaryGuidelines.gov. The public comment period will be open for 45-days. HHS and USDA will review the report and comments from the public and other federal agencies as the process to update the guidelines begins.
Reaction
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s report is inconsistent – and if adopted will lead to conflicting dietary advice. For instance – the Committee has endorsed the Mediterranean style diet that promotes consumption of higher levels of red meat – but it has left lean meat out of what it considers a healthy dietary pattern. NCBA Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Scientist Dr. Shalene McNeill says the recommendation that a healthy dietary pattern should be lower in red meat is inconsistent with scientific evidence. The committee’s statement disregards the positive role of lean meat – which is one of the most nutrient rich foods. Texas medical doctor and cattle producer Dr. Richard Thorpe says the American diet is already 70-percent plant based – and further emphasizing plant-based diets will continue to have unintended consequences.
The National Pork Board reminds Americans that meat – including pork – is a nutrient-dense food that is not over consumed on average in America – as more than 60-percent of the population consumes the protein food group at or below recommended intake levels. Consuming lean, high-quality protein – like pork – is scientifically proven to help people lose or maintain weight by contributing to feeling full and preserving lean muscle.
Source: NAFB News Service