USDA still pushing grains and low-fat
The 2011 USDA dietary guidelines are out and not much has changed. They are still pushing a low-fat, grain-enriched diet and encouraging Americans to eat less and get more exercise. However, there are a few problems with this recommendation:
- Grains, whether whole or refined, are carbohydrates and thus stimulate a rise in blood sugar which in turn spikes insulin levels.
- Higher insulin levels lead to fat accumulation and the inability to mobilize stored fat as fuel (the body prefers to burn glucose).
- An increase in exercise, in conjunction with a diet rich in carbohydrates, leads to an increase in appetite and hunger, thus making it difficult to reduce caloric intake.
It’s also too bad that the “dietary fats make you fat” myth seems to persist. Low-fat milk. Lean meats. Avoid saturated fats and eat more fruits. If the majority of Americans follow these guidelines, it seems all but certain that obesity (and all the diseases and health issues associated with it) will continue to be a major health problem now and in the future.