2015
It doesn’t much matter what channel we’re tuned to. Here at our house there is a lot of shouting (usually derisive) and fist-pumping during the evening news – all of it from me. Last night’s PBS offering was an especially boisterous time. I mean, how could it not be?
1940s
For starters, ‘the government’ has issued their five-year update on dietary guidelines for the American public. Less sugar (about half what most of us now ingest, apparently) but, despite the advice from nutrition specialists, the guidelines remained mooshy on recommendations for red meat. I applauded the sugar advice (I don’t really see why we need any sugar in our diets but that’s another discussion) and was totally flummoxed on the advice (or lack thereof) about protein choices.
1960s
It seems that the top administration officials within the U.S. departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, who were tasked with writing the guidelines, decided not to include some of the recommendations made by a Dietary Guidelines advisory panel that reviewed the latest nutrition science. The proposal for “less red and processed meats” though, sparked a vigorous challenge from the meat industry (wouldn’t you know!!!), and the final dietary guidelines do not include any specific advice to cut back on these sources of protein.
2000s
It’s the top administration officials within the U.S. departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, who are tasked with writing the final guidelines, and that’s the august body who decided not to include some of the recommendations made by a Dietary Guidelines advisory panel who reviewed the latest nutrition science. We pay those people, folks!
And to think that I grew up (and was fairly healthy, too!) in the 1940s when we were taught to “eat some food” from each of the seven food groups pictured on a big wheel! By the time I began teaching in the early ‘60s, we were down to the four basic food groups (and I think our mantra was “You are what you eat”) and when I retired 30 years later, we were recommending the “food pyramid.” In each transformation, we were assured that the suggestions were “based on the latest nutrition science.” They sure did leave out the part about the lobbyists…
And that was only the first sound bite of the night…
The “truth” about what is considered a healthful diet change often enough to make me dizzy. Eggs are out, then they’re in. Don’t eat red meat and don’t eat processed meat EVER. Goodbye bacon, it was fun. I’m pretty sure that the food industry is a powerfull lobby, influencing governmental guidelines. The bottom line is moderation and calorie in-take versus calories burned. I hate kale. I don’t know if consuming large amounts of it will make me live longer or just make it FEEL longer. Anyway, take what you hear about food and eating with a grain of salt. But only a grain.
It’s okay, Stephanie, apparently cauliflower is the new kale. I saw it on the news.
Well said!