Comments on: Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: The Politics

By: The Politics of Nutrition « Gusto: Eating with Pleasure

The Politics of Nutrition « Gusto: Eating with Pleasure — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:10:49 +0000

[...] are unlikely to find their way into government-issued guidelines. (See Marion Nestle’s post on this issue for a more detailed discussion of the politics behind the recommendations.) Still, [...]

By: Meat: It May Be an Innocent Bystander to Your Bypass Afterall « Land Animal

Meat: It May Be an Innocent Bystander to Your Bypass Afterall « Land Animal — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:27:33 +0000

[...] it comes to food, picking things apart down to the molecular level might not be the best answer. As Marion Nestle often says, people don’t eat micro- or macronutrients, they eat food. For now, a plant-based diet that [...]

By: D. Watson

D. Watson — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:12:58 +0000

“and their brain development will be just fine, if not ABOVE average.”

Did we just get the secret to Lake Woebegone in the comments section? (you remember: a place where all the children are above average)

By: Roxanne Rieske

Roxanne Rieske — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:01:23 +0000

Coconut oil is about 50 percent lauric acid, a rare medium-chain fatty acid found in mother’s milk that supports healthy metabolism and is now being studied for its anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial health-protecting properties. Overall, coconut oil contains 92% saturated fats, and only 1% Omega-6, the fat Americans get way too much of.

By: Roxanne Rieske

Roxanne Rieske — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 04:48:27 +0000

The best source of saturated fat in the diet is Raw, Unrefined, Extra-Virgin or Virgin Coconut oil. It has no cholesterol, does not raise bad cholesterol (LDL). It’s chock full of essential fatty acids that the body cannot produce on its own, and it is metabolized right in the liver for immediate energy instead of being stored in fatty tissue. THIS should be the immediate replacement for butter in cooking. It is high in calories, so use it in moderation, but it is far better than butter.

By: Roxanne Rieske

Roxanne Rieske — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 04:38:38 +0000

Well A, all reputable, peer-reviewed studies have determined that consumption of large amounts of animal-based saturated fats leads to heart disease. The body needs healthy oils, with Omega-3 at the top of the list, followed by balanced amounts of Omega-6 and Omega-9. You can get all these good fats through whole plant foods. Flax seeds, avocados, walnuts, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and hemp seeds provide all the necessary fats that every body needs at every age. Young children do not need dairy products in their diet. It’s simply been advocated for children because dairy is a concentrated source of dietary fat, historically a cheap source, and a pretty risky one at that. Feed your kids a good, balanced, plant-based diet rich with plant derived healthy fats, and their brain development will be just fine, if not ABOVE average. Dairy products are, in fact, a common cause of inflammation and allergies. A large percentage of the population don’t handle milk proteins well, and it’s a BIG, FAT LIE that they are needed in the diet at all.

By: A.

A. — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:43:15 +0000

Why would we want to reduce certain solid fats, like butter and cheese? People were thinner and healthier when they ate them (especially children – they need saturated fat for proper brain and body development). I’m sorry, but butter is a million times healthier than corn oil (which is a refined, rancid, processed food linked to cancer and a host of other issues). My concern is that the health guidelines are actually wrong. Just eat real food and you will be healthy. That should be the only guideline people are given: avoid processed, refined food, eat real food. And certainly avoid inflammatory omega-6-laden oils.

By: Roxanne Rieske

Roxanne Rieske — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:37:16 +0000

Cut out processed foods, all fast food meals, limit restaurant eating (i.e cook your own food as much as possible), and use coarse sea salt in your cooking w/ a largely plant based diet, and you don’t have to worry about sodium intake.

By: Marion

Marion — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:10:33 +0000

@Darren: Yes, eat less sodium. But how about the main FOOD sources of sodium in U.S. diets? People don’t eat nutrients; they eat food.

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:57:44 +0000

Excellent introduction, Marion. Thank you!

I turned first to the chapter on sodium, because recent efforts to limit sodium has been quite controversial in the “foodie” community. I noticed this clear “Eat Less” message on page D6-2 of the report:

“The projected health benefits of a reduced sodium intake are substantial and include fewer strokes, cardiovascular disease events, and deaths, as well as substantially reduced health care costs. In view of these potential benefits and the current very high intake of sodium in the general population, children and adults should lower their sodium intake as much as possible by consuming fewer processed foods that are high in sodium, and by using little or no salt when preparing or eating foods.”