New US Dietary Recommendations say Eggs are OK

Typically, they have encouraged Americans to consume more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and low-fat foods, while restricting their intake of saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol.

The Obama administration unveiled new dietary guidelines on Thursday that urged Americans to limit their sugar intake, called on men and boys to eat less protein, but eased previous recommendations on cholesterol and sodium.

For the first time, the government recommendations limit the amount of added sugar that people should consume on a daily basis to less than 10% of their daily calories. “The dietary guidelines can help shape that foundation”, said Sylvia Burwell, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

These new guidelines take the small-changes approach when aiming to adopt a healthy diet in hopes that these small steps create a more sustainable lifestyle of healthy eating.

While 90 percent of Americans still eat too much salt, the 2015 guidelines back away from strict limits on daily salt intake. However, authorities caution consumers to stay away from meats that have high amounts of saturated fats and sodium.

Less than 10 percent of calories per day from added sugars. The guidelines recommend Americans eat at as little dietary cholesterol as possible while consuming a healthy eating pattern.

The guidelines, which are updated every five years, are aimed at helping Americans eat healthier, both directly and indirectly, and prevent health problems like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

It suggests instead people start incorporating other forms of protein into their meals, like nuts, seeds and seafood. University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health’s Dr. Laura Jana is a pediatrician and says these new guidelines are created to help the public make informed choices about their diets.

“I’m very pleased the secretaries went back and reviewed the large body of science that does exist supporting lean meats like beef in a healthy dietary pattern”, said Jennifer Leheska, a dietitian for TCFA.

Additionally, the guidelines recommend that sodium intake should be less than 2,300 mgs per day for those aged 14 years and older, and even less for children and adolescents younger 14 years of age.

Recommendations on cholesterol have also shifted. The industry and supporters cite new research that high-cholesterol food only marginally adds to levels in the bloodstream and that drugs and exercise are more effective in reducing cholesterol. For the most part, the USDA guidelines stick to the script of healthy eating. The guidelines have served as the benchmark for federal nutrition and food-assistance programs ever since the year 1980.