Guest guest Posted January 29, 2004 Report Share Posted January 29, 2004 In a message dated 1/29/2004 1:19:36 AM Mountain Standard Time, dhn@... writes: > > January 29, 2004 > > > BUILDING BLOCKS > > How on earth are we to know what's right to eat? Carbohydrates are good... > carbohydrates are bad. Protein is good... protein is bad. Fats are good... > fats are bad. The only thing that everyone agrees on is that fruits and > vegetables are good -- though there is controversy arising here, too, with regard to > organic versus commercially grown products. > > In an effort to clear up the confusion, the USDA is in the process of > updating its " Food Pyramid " of recommended dietary intake. Its work is the result > of several years of research based on the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) > standards issued by the National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine, and > the Dietary Guidelines, published by the Department of Health and Human > Services and the USDA. (The DRI replaces the Decommended Dietary Allowances -- RDA > -- of old.) Additionally, the USDA asked for input from the professional > community and consumers to learn how they understand and use the pyramid. > > The proposed changes to the pyramid are far from final. I spoke to three > experts about the pyramid and received strong and varied opinions. > > RUTH KAVA, PHD, RD: LIKES PORTION CONTROL > > I first spoke with Ruth Kava, PhD, RD, director of nutrition at the American > Council on Science and Health. Dr. Kava says that she always has liked the > Food Pyramid because it gives an instant picture for the servings of foods > people should have. However, she also points out that it has limitations -- > nutrition has more complexities than a simple pyramid can convey. > > One of the biggest differences between the new pyramid and the old one, she > explains, is that the new one will consider appropriate caloric levels. > Because obesity is rampant in this country, the USDA is trying to establish not > only the foods people should eat but also reasonable quantities. Since it will > be impossible to easily show calories for all lifestyles, the pyramid's > recommendations will be oriented toward people who are more sedentary. In > addition, the USDA is doing a thorough analysis of nutrient profiles, which, she > says, looks pretty good. You can read about the proposed changes -- as well as > public comments on the proposal -- at www.usda.gov/cnpp/pyramid-update/. > > WALTER WILLET, MD, DPH: TOO MANY CARBS > > One of the most outspoken critics of the Food Pyramid has been Walter > Willett, MD, DPH, who is chairman of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health > and author of Eat, Drink and Be Healthy. In published interviews and articles > he has written, Dr. Willett has criticized the old Food Pyramid's lack of fat > -- which he says in part led to the fat-free food frenzy of the early 1990s > -- and the amount of carbohydrates it recommends. He says that some fat -- > notably from plant oils -- is essential in any diet. He also argues against the > refined carbohydrates at the base of the pyramid -- bread, cereal, rice and > pasta -- because they break down quickly into glucose, which stimulates a > large release of insulin. He also is against the pyramid's placement of white > potatoes in the vegetable division. White potatoes, a starch, also are rapidly > metabolized to glucose. His research shows that a high intake of starch, > whether from refined grains or potatoes, is associated with higher risk for type > 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. > > Consequently, Dr. Willett has been quoted as saying that he would like to > replace the " bread, cereal, rice and pasta " group at the base of the pyramid > with whole-grain foods and plant oils. Fats now are at the very top of the > pyramid " to be used sparingly. " That is where he believes the white rice, white > bread, potatoes and pasta should be. > > Dr. Willett also feels that the USDA should not even be the group designing > the pyramid because of its mandate to protect agriculture in this country. He > says that this predisposes the department to underscore beef and dairy too > much in its recommendations. > > RON SCHMID, ND: MORE ANIMAL PROTEINS > > I spoke with Ron Schmid, ND, of the Alternative Medicine Center of > Connecticut in Watertown. Dr. Schmid feels that the pyramid is " not about health, but > about politics and money. " He, too, would invert the current pyramid given > the opportunity, but in a slightly different way. The foundation he would like > to see would contain dairy products, meats, poultry, fish and eggs -- but > with a critical caveat. These must all be from healthy animals raised on family, > not corporate, farms. He would place fruits, vegetables and whole grains > above the animal products and at the top place the occasional treat, be it ice > cream or a glass of wine. > > While a valiant -- and no doubt expensive -- effort on the part of the > government, it appears that the new Food Pyramid will be no panacea for resolving > the dietary debate. > > What should you do? Work with a professional specially trained in individual > dietary management to determine what works best for you. An RD -- a formally > trained nutritionist with an accredited MS or PhD -- working under a > naturopathic physician (ND) is the best scenario. In the meanwhile, focus on whole > grains, fresh ripe fruits, vegetables and legumes, and hormone-free meats and > dairy products. As for all those delicious sweet treats, enjoy them for what > they are -- " treats, " not dietary staples. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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