Commissioned Corps Bulletin July 8, 2015

Fit for Duty, Fit for Life: 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Report Review

Contributed by: LCDR Kibbe Conti, MS, RDN, CDE

Our mission, to Protect, Promote and Advance the Health and Safety of the United States, calls for us to not only help others, but also to individually maintain and model good health. A healthy diet is a pillar of well-being throughout the lifespan. Sound tools and resources, like the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, can guide us in assisting individuals and groups in achieving healthy diet and physical activity patterns.

Although the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have not yet been published, the advisory committee¹ appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, released a scientific report in February. This report will serve as the foundation of the 2015 guidelines. The evolving science of nutrition continues to guide us in new and healthier directions.

Eat Less Sugar

The report recommends that 10 percent or less of a person's daily diet comes from added sugars. For a person who consumes 2,000 calories per day that intake translates to less than 30 grams or two tablespoons of added sugars. The vast majority of the U.S. population exceeds the recommended intake, according to the report. There is strong evidence of a link between added sugars and cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes & obesity.²

Nutrient Shortcomings

A majority of the U.S. population have low intakes of key food groups: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and dairy. These food groups are important sources of the nutrients, vitamins A, D, E, and C, folate, calcium, magnesium, fiber, and potassium. The committee also found that consumption of refined grains, solid fats, sodium and added sugars is too high. Iron also is a shortfall nutrient for adolescent and pre-menopausal females.

What’s New in Nutrition?

• According to the report, a moderate amount of seafood is an important component of a healthy diet, and has demonstrated health benefits whether it is farm-raised or wild caught seafood.
• Limits on dietary cholesterol might be outdated based on a lack of correlation of consumption of cholesterol with blood cholesterol levels.
• Strong evidence shows that consumption of coffee within the moderate range (3 to 5 cups per day or up to 400 mg/d caffeine) causes no increased health risks among healthy individuals, and may have some health benefits for adults.

More than One Way to a Healthful Diet

Below are three examples of dietary patterns identified that show nutritional adequacy. These are the Healthy U.S.-style Pattern, Healthy Mediterranean-style Pattern, and the Healthy Vegetarian Pattern. Individual socio-cultural preferences and medical needs should also be considered.

This sound advice is yet another reason to fill our plates with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and olive oil. Backed by research and closely aligned with recommendations from other groups, including the American Heart Association and the American Institute for Cancer Research, these dietary patterns will support well-being throughout the lifespan.

Healthy U.S.-Style Pattern Emphasizes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains at least half of which are whole grains; Low-fat milk and dairy products; Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and limits added sugars to less than 10% of calories.

Sources:
¹http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015-scientific-report/
²http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015-scientific-report/06-chapter-1/

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