Committee Makes Food Guide Recommendations

Consumption of foods from each of the basic food groups, including meat and poultry, are essential for meeting nutrient intake requirements, concludes the report filed by an expert committee overseen by two government agencies chiefly involved with monitoring the American diet and nutrition.

The "2005 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee" (Committee), authored by nutrition and health professionals appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was published in the August 27 Federal Register. The Notice includes the findings of the Committee, a solicitation for public comments, and announcement of a public meeting to solicit oral comments on the report September 21, 2004.

The report may please low-carb dieters. The new guide recommends more fruits and vegetables, but doesn't call for big cuts in salt or sugar. People should consume 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, up from the previous recommended number of seven. The new report also emphasizes whole grains over other carbohydrate options.

The U.S. Dairy Council received a big win from the committee's recommendations with an increase of 50% recommended daily dairy servings. The previous food guide recommended 2-3 servings per day, while the newest update calls for 3 servings a day for adults and children alike. According to the USDA, Americans consume an average of 1.5 servings of dairy per day. The $50 billion milk industry could see a significant boost if the recommendations turn into increased demand.

The Committee has concluded that consumption of total fat to be 20 to 35% of calories with saturated fat kept at or below 10%. A trans fatty acid recommendation for consumption "below about 1% of calories" is a new addition to the recommendations in 2005. The report provides the following as key scientific findings of the Committee: