Back in January The USDA released their 2010 Dietary Guidelines and one of the major items suggested is to drink more water.
“….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.
Because more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, the 7th edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity.”
The guidelines mention a number of very good suggestions toward a healthier diet although in my opinion they take a conservative line, as I would expect. Still it is a step in the right direction.
“The bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of developing diet-related chronic disease.”
Here are 6 tips that translate their recommendations to your everyday life:
1) Enjoy your food, but eat less. Avoid over-sized portions.
2) Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
3) Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
4) Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals – and choose the foods with
lower numbers.
5) Include regular exercise and physical activity
Last but not least:
6) Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
All are great suggestions. Lets take a quick look at them:
1) Eating less is not really the answer. Eating less of the wrong kinds of foods is the secret. It is hard to overdo fruits and veggies no matter what quantity you eat. On the other hand eat one Big Mac and you have already over done it. It is not so much quantity as quality.
2) Half you plates fruits and veggies – Do this and major things start to happen. Fruits and vegetables are high-water content foods. More water, more health! More info on an Alkaline Diet
3) Cut back on dairy products period! If you do decide to do dairy make it raw and organic.
4) Choose foods with lower number I translate into “Cook more homemade meals” where you control what goes into the food. The less processed food the better your health will be. Take control of your diet by taking control of your kitchen.
5) Exercise! So important. Many of us concentrate on our diets but lack in physical activity. For many years I put this important habit on a back burner. For the last year I have become very committed to daily consistent exercise and the baby fat has completely disappeared. My favorite exercise: rebounding!
Last but not least, and maybe the most important:
6) Drink more water and less sugary beverages. Thank you lord! This alone can make huge differences in the health of this country and if that water was an alkaline water such as we would have a health revolution.
Reportedly they will come out with a new revised USDA Food Pyramid in the near future.
Click Here to see the USDA Dietary Guidelines
Increase your intake of water based foods and drink more water.
Be Well, Calen
