The U.S. government’s advisory committee has presented recommendations for its upcoming dietary guidelines. Voices from the industry have voiced their criticism.
Specialists who advise the United States government have written a series of recommendations to citizens to limit the quantity of red meat that they consume .
These are preliminary in nature and part of the conversations for the next set of guidelines. dietetic of the North American country.
The emphasis in this opportunity is on increase consumption more food vegetables, including some like lentils and beans .
According to the rescues Wall Street Journal you have Final guidelines expected to be presented by end of 2025 .
At the same time, this should trigger a possible discussion on the recommended amount of red meat in diets.
US dietary guidelines are updated every five years and they are used, for example, to design school meal programs based on them.
Along with this, They constitute a road map for the efforts of the health public and influential companies dedicated to production of food.
What are the current dietary guidelines?
Current US Dietary Guidelines recommends avoiding too much saturated fat .
However, They’re not saying people should limit their consumption of red meat. .
Various investigations have confirmed that Cholesterol and fats found in hamburgers and certain meats may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and other diagnoses. .
Lindsey Smith Taillie, a researcher at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina, highlighted the Newspaper that high-meat diets remain popular among the Americans.
Even more among the men of this country, who tend to eat more meat, poultry and eggs than current guidelines suggest .
In this sense, Processed products like ham or bacon tend to be among the favorites to assemble your dishes.
For this reasonAccording to Smith Taillie, “it seems like it will be difficult to change” these habits of food.
“We have very strong preferences for red meat, which are linked to all kinds of social and cultural factors” added the specialist, referring to the case of the said country.
Current guidelines also They recommend choosing fresh, lean meat instead of processed products like sausages.
What are the preliminary recommendations for dietary guidelines?
Preliminary proposals from the committee that advises the American government recommend that dietary guidelines focus on the consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, fish and seafood .
This, in addition to low-fat dairy products, fat-free and unsaturated fats .
Christopher Gardner, a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, who is also a member of the committee, summarized the Newspaper that it is about a way of eating “that favors plants” .
Your recommendations They also suggest including beans, peas and lentils in the protein food category. .
In the same way, They propose that “meat, poultry and eggs” move from the first group on the list to the last, below seafood and plant-based sources of protein. such as nuts, seeds and soy products, they explained at a public meeting.
What the Meat Industry Said About Dietary Guidelines Recommendations
After the committee of scientists presented its preliminary recommendations on dietary guidelines for the United States, Different voices from the meat sector have expressed their criticism .
One of the people who spoke about it was Shalene McNeill. executive director of nutritional sciences for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in this North American country.
In statements saved by the Newspaperthe dietitian also said: “It turns out It’s baffling that we’re trying to get Americans to eliminate red meat, when evidence indicates that nutritional deficiencies and chronic diseases increase as consumption decreases red meat.
He argued that red meat contains nutrients like potassium and iron which may be relevant to diet.
What research says about eating red meat
Some research has concluded that Consumption of unprocessed red meat is linked to heart disease and premature death .
Nevertheless, Other studies have found a minor link between its consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease. .
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health epidemiology and nutrition scholar Walter C. Willet assured the aforementioned media that The high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol in beef can increase LDL or “bad” cholesterol. which is a risk factor for heart attacks.
For her part, Maya Vadiveloo, a nutrition specialist at the University of Rhode Island, told Newspaper that Although red meat contains iron, an important dietary nutrient, excessive consumption can cause inflammation. .
This, he added, “triggers the processes underlying heart disease” .
According to some research, Consumption of red meat may increase risk of diabetes .
Other studies have found links between processed meat consumption and risk of heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer .
When will the new dietary guidelines be defined?
The report of the advisory committee on this issue of the United States government is still in development .
After being sent to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture of this country, expected to be released at the end of 2024 .
Once the report is shared, A period of 60 days will be given to receive comments. .
It is specified that the agencies in charge will take into account the evaluations and, finally, new dietary guidelines will be published at the end of 2025 .
Of course, as the experts have clarified, The government does not always follow the recommendations made by the committee, so they may vary .
It is good to remember that If you have doubts about your diet, it is always advisable to contact a health professional to assess your case. particular and the best ways to remedy it.
Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
