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Nutrient-Rich Foods a 2010 USDA Food Pyramid Priority
Atlanta, Ga. – April 23, 2009 – As the USDA moves to complete its latest update of the food pyramid, advocates of dairy are working to underscore the science supporting dairy foods so that when the new guidelines are released in 2010, nutrient-rich foods like milk, cheese and yogurt will continue to be validated as essentials of a healthy diet.
The USDA issues a food pyramid once every five years. The MyPyramid provides dietary and lifestyle guidelines to consumers to promote optimal health and reduced risk for many chronic diseases. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products along with regular exercise as the foundations of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
The 2010 guidelines are expected to emphasize the importance of regularly eating nutrient-rich foods such as dairy foods, which contain nine essential vitamins and minerals in significant daily recommended amounts. Focusing on nutrient-rich foods like dairy, which provide the most nutrients per calorie, will provide consumers with a solid foundation on which to build their diets, says Ann Marie Krautheim, registered dietitian and senior vice president of nutrition affairs for Dairy Management Inc., (DMI).
“Many people are defining nutrient density based on what that food doesn’t have and aren’t really looking at the total nutrient package that food delivers. The Nutrient-Rich Foods Coalition is working to change this approach. The coalition’s goal is to work with scientists, experts in the field of nutrition, to develop a validated, scientifically-sound approach that looks at a food’s total nutrient package,” said Krautheim.
Research shows that choosing foods for their nutritional content leads to better food choices. Eating three servings of dairy every day, as well as other nutrient-rich foods like whole grains, vegetables and fruits provides a tremendous health benefit and a great nutritional bang for the buck. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, comprised of food and nutrition experts in the U.S., will be looking towards published, peer-reviewed research to develop their recommendations going into 2010.
“The science behind dairy’s role in the diet, whether it’s for strong bones or helping reduce the risk of obesity, hypertension, or certain types of cancers, solidly supports the need for three to four servings of dairy in the diet every day,” said Mary Martin Nordness, nutrition communications director for the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association.
Listen to an interview with Ann Marie Krautheim.
About the Southeast Dairy Association
On behalf of dairy farm families, the non-profit Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc. (SUDIA) works with schools, health professionals, retailers, dairy processors and the public to promote dairy foods.
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Contact: Troy Russell, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, 770-994-5821, trussell@sedairy.org
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