USDA, HHS Serve Up New Dietary Guidelines

USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services have released the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2010 DGA)— the federal government’s evidence-based nutritional guidance to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity. And much to the happiness of produce associations nationwide, a key takeaway from the published piece is: “Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.”

“The announcement is a huge step toward encouraging healthier eating habits across the country, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, United Fresh vice president of nutrition and health, who cited the “half a plate” strategy as a key tactic in testimony delivered to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in 2009 and 2010. “By making an overarching recommendation like ‘half a plate,’ the 2010 DGA provides clearer guidance to Americans that, no matter what their age or calorie intake requirement, everyone needs to strive to have fruits and vegetables make up half of what they eat at each meal.”

Published jointly by USDA and HHS, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated every five years to reflect new nutrition science related to health promotion and disease prevention. The 2010 DGA focuses on balancing calories with physical activity and encourages Americans to consume more healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free dairy products and seafood, and to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains. The 2010 DGA also emphasizes eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, especially dark green, red and orange vegetables.

“The guidelines recommend making half of our plate vegetables and fruits -– an easy way to incorporate more healthy produce into our diets," according to a statement from the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA). "Replacing unhealthy foods with more daily servings of vegetables and fruits is key in improving health. Parents and schools must establish a good dietary foundation for children by encouraging them to eat more vegetables and fruits, which will start them on a lifelong path of healthier eating."

 The 2010 DGA recommendations add to the impact of the recently-passed Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act signed into law late last year, as well as the recently published proposed rule to improve school meals, which calls for doubling the amount of fruits and vegetables served in school meals and provides an increase in the federal reimbursement rate tied to serving healthier foods.

Source: United Fresh Produce Association and FFVA