Tag

Dietary Guidelines

All articles tagged with #dietary guidelines

Flavanols Make the Difference: Why Five a Day Isn’t Always Heart-Protective
health-and-nutrition24 days ago

Flavanols Make the Difference: Why Five a Day Isn’t Always Heart-Protective

A large international study suggests that heart protection depends not just on how much fruit and vegetables you eat, but on which ones you choose, due to flavanol intake. Most people fall short of the flavanol levels (about 500 mg daily) linked to lower cardiovascular mortality, even when meeting general fruit/veg targets. The study highlights flavanol-rich foods like plums, cranberries, blackberries, green tea, apples with skin, and beans, and suggests dietary guidance may need to specify food choices to maximize heart benefits.

Biden-commissioned study finds no safe level of alcohol, fueling calls for tougher guidelines
health1 month ago

Biden-commissioned study finds no safe level of alcohol, fueling calls for tougher guidelines

A government-commissioned study concluded there is no protective health effect from alcohol, with risks rising even at one drink per day; the findings were released independently after the Trump administration sidelined them amid industry pushback, while officials say dietary guidelines consider the total body of evidence, and the authors urge stricter guidance to one drink or fewer per day.

No Safe Level: Federal Study Finds Any Alcohol Raises Health Risks
health1 month ago

No Safe Level: Federal Study Finds Any Alcohol Raises Health Risks

A federally commissioned study concludes that even light alcohol consumption raises the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and premature death, with no level providing health protection. The findings, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, were reportedly excluded from the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines amid pushback from the alcohol industry and lawmakers. Researchers advocate a conservative message: no more than one drink per day, and risk grows with each additional drink, challenging the view that moderate drinking can be healthy.

Unreleased federal study finds no health benefit to drinking, even at low levels
health1 month ago

Unreleased federal study finds no health benefit to drinking, even at low levels

A federal SAMHSA-led study on alcohol’s health effects, shelved by the Trump administration and later published in a scientific journal, concludes there is no net health benefit from drinking and that even light alcohol use raises risks of death and disease, fueling debates about political interference in science as dietary guidelines move away from fixed drinking limits.

Diamantas Takes Interim Lead of FDA Amid Leadership Shakeup
health1 month ago

Diamantas Takes Interim Lead of FDA Amid Leadership Shakeup

Kyle Diamantas, formerly FDA deputy for food, becomes acting FDA commissioner after Marty Makary’s resignation, guiding food safety policy and dietary guidelines during an interim leadership phase; his past defense of Abbott’s infant formula and ties to Trump circles are noted, but he’s seen as a non-controversial placeholder while a permanent appointee is sought.

Ditch the Toilet Scroll: Higher Fiber Now Key to Prevent Hemorrhoids
health2 months ago

Ditch the Toilet Scroll: Higher Fiber Now Key to Prevent Hemorrhoids

New guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association urge higher daily fiber intake (38g for men, 25g for women) and shorter bathroom sessions to prevent hemorrhoids and constipation, emphasizing plant-based proteins and fiber-rich foods, staying hydrated, and noting that most hemorrhoids improve with home care; in-office treatments exist for persistent cases.

US Dietary Guidelines Leave Kids' Produce Targets Undefined
health2 months ago

US Dietary Guidelines Leave Kids' Produce Targets Undefined

The new USDA dietary guidelines are vaguer than the previous MyPlate guidance, dropping explicit daily fruit and vegetable targets for children and leaving families without a clear reference on how much produce to serve. Experts caution this could complicate meal planning, even as guidelines still promote fruits/vegetables, dairy, and iron-rich foods with age-specific notes (5–10-year-olds: about 1–2 cups daily). While produce supports brain development and immunity, some critics say the shift emphasizes meat and full-fat dairy over vegetables. The piece also offers practical tips to boost intake, such as involving kids in prep, making produce appealing, and modeling healthy eating.

Protein Hype vs. Science: Most People Don’t Need More—Fiber and Balance Matter
health3 months ago

Protein Hype vs. Science: Most People Don’t Need More—Fiber and Balance Matter

Stanford Medicine experts say the protein hype is overblown: most adults already meet protein needs, and simply eating more isn’t a universal fix. For some groups, about 1.2–1.6 g/kg may help preserve muscle (notably older adults or those losing weight), but resistance training matters more. The newer guidelines may emphasize protein, yet fiber and plant-based foods remain essential; the myth of incomplete plant proteins is debunked, and timing or post-workout protein is less critical than overall diet.

Protein Frenzy Keeps Meat in the Spotlight Amid Health Warnings
health3 months ago

Protein Frenzy Keeps Meat in the Spotlight Amid Health Warnings

Most Americans view meat as part of a healthy diet and seek more meat due to a protein-led trend and new dietary guidelines; health experts warn that protein needs are individual and red meat carries risks like saturated fat, inflammation, and links to heart disease and some cancers, urging more plant-based or seafood protein while the meat industry defends its role and shoppers stay budget-conscious.

RFK Jr. demands safety data on sugary coffee drinks from Dunkin’ and Starbucks
politics4 months ago

RFK Jr. demands safety data on sugary coffee drinks from Dunkin’ and Starbucks

RFK Jr., the HHS secretary in the piece, urged Dunkin’ and Starbucks to prove their sugary beverages are safe, pointing to a 115-gram iced coffee as potentially unsafe for teens; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey playfully defended Dunkin’ online; HHS stressed the move is about transparent, science-based food safety. The episode ties to Kennedy’s broader push to reshape federal nutrition guidance toward “real food,” highlighting a January overhaul favoring protein and healthy fats over grains.

Protein Needs Climb for Adults Over 50 to Preserve Muscle
health4 months ago

Protein Needs Climb for Adults Over 50 to Preserve Muscle

Muscle loss accelerates after age 50 (sarcopenia), and the traditional 0.8 g/kg/day protein RDA may be insufficient for many older adults. New Dietary Guidelines recommend 1.2–1.6 g/kg/day (higher for active individuals and postmenopausal women), with protein distributed across meals (about 15–30 g per meal) and sourced from whole foods. For a 150-pound adult, this could mean roughly 75–100 g of protein daily, potentially up to ~2 g/kg/day for healthier individuals, while those with chronic kidney disease should consult a clinician. Exercise remains essential, as protein plus resistance training yields the best muscle-maintaining results.

Sugar in moderation: a nuanced path beyond zero sugar
health4 months ago

Sugar in moderation: a nuanced path beyond zero sugar

The article argues that while added sugars are linked to diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, naturally occurring sugars in fruit and whole foods come with fiber and nutrients and are not worrisome. Dietary guidelines aim to limit added sugars, especially in drinks, rather than abolish sugar entirely. The piece also cautions against extreme zero-sugar diets and highlights metabolic flexibility—the ability to adapt to different energy sources—as a reason to avoid strict elimination. The takeaway is to keep added sugar on the low side, enjoy fruits and whole grains, limit sugary beverages, and avoid food anxiety or orthorexia while allowing occasional treats at celebrations.

Protein demystified: how much you need and where it comes from
health4 months ago

Protein demystified: how much you need and where it comes from

Dietitians explain that new federal guidelines encourage steady protein every meal, totaling roughly 1.2–1.6 g/kg daily, but most experts still aim for about 0.8 g/kg depending on age, activity, and life stage. The piece covers protein sources (meat, dairy, beans, lentils, tofu, quinoa) and offers practical gram examples for common foods; it also notes that too much protein can crowd out fiber and other nutrients and may pose risks for kidney health and heart disease, so balance and variety are key.

Pollan’s Guide to Eating: Real Food, Fewer Ultra-Processed Options
health4 months ago

Pollan’s Guide to Eating: Real Food, Fewer Ultra-Processed Options

CBS News highlights that ultraprocessed foods are linked to obesity and chronic diseases; FDA former head Kessler and author Michael Pollan discuss evidence that these foods alter metabolism and drive overeating. NIH research shows people on ultraprocessed diets consume about 500 more calories daily; Pollan recommending eating real food, mostly plants, avoiding ingredients a third-grader cannot pronounce, shopping the supermarket perimeter, cooking at home, and advocating policy changes to subsidize healthier calories.