How do we best make sense of the new dietary guidelines? Part 4
- Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Have you ever felt powerless to make a difference about things that matter?
Maybe you feel that way about the new 10th edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. You might be asking how these new guidelines will impact the work you do and the nutrition education you provide.
After all, they present significant challenges to us as food and nutrition professionals who are tasked with translating and implementing the guidelines.
So far in this series, I have described how I would teach about the new guidelines if I were still in the classroom teaching Purdue dietetics students. We have explored:
In this week’s blog, I make the case that as credentialled nutrition professionals, we are the superheroes for food and nutrition. We can rise above the conflict, remain true to the science, provide realistic and actionable guidance accounting for individual and cultural differences, and advocate for positive change within federally-funded programs.
Put on your superhero cape and rise above the conflict
Acknowledge that there are ideological and political forces at play in the current nutrition policies set forth by the federal government. Health equity may not be part of the official stance, but you can still recognize that significant barriers to a healthy diet exist in the form of limited access and limited resources – time, money, and knowledge. It is not out of line to ask the agencies how they will address “the affordability and accessibility of healthy food, particularly for disadvantaged populations” and expect them to follow through.
Focus on who you serve and how you can best meet their needs for accurate information about food and nutrition. What are their dietary shortfalls or excesses that compromise health and increase risk? If you work with populations with chronic or acute health conditions, they need medical nutrition therapy, not general dietary guidelines. If you are an RDN, you have permission to use your superpower credentials and provide tailored, accurate advice.
Stand up for science-backed evidence
Critically review the research used to justify the conflicting guidelines. Be prepared to explain concepts such as “cherry-picking” favorable studies while ignoring the bulk of the evidence, or what it means when the evidence is inconclusive, or can’t be generalized to the broader population, and so much more.
Support the process outlined by law for determining the scientific foundation upon which guidelines have been developed for decades, and be able to compare it with the method used by the recent committee.
Acknowledge points of agreement between the two reports on the need for strong nutrition science. As stated by the American Society for Nutrition:
“ASN is encouraged that both reports highlight the ongoing need for continued investment in nutrition research to provide Americans with evidence-based nutrition guidance. The newly released DGAs highlight the long-standing inadequacy of nutrition research funding and insufficient coordination among federal, state, local, and private partners. Increasing targeted funding for diet-related chronic disease research at the USDA, CDC, and NIH will enable future evidence-based dietary guidance. ASN remains committed to advocating for transparent, evidence-based, scientific processes to develop nutrition guidance that uphold scientific rigor and integrity and maintain the public’s trust.”
Do you wonder what the guidelines might have been if the first report had not been rejected? The Center for Science in the Public Interest created the “Uncompromised Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” based on the DGAC original report.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics created a Nutrition Fact Check website with useful information that separates facts from fallacies about many of the hot topics in the new guidelines, such as saturated fat, seed oils, food dyes, and ultra-processed foods.
As a superhero who understands the science, communicate clearly to enhance public understanding. Help regain trust in science.
Provide realistic and actionable guidance
This is truly our superpower – to translate guidelines into practical guidance.
How might we make sense of the upside-down pyramid? I would use this as a teachable moment with my dietetics students. I would ask them to describe what messages they think this icon delivers and what messages we could suggest.
A triangle resting on its point could signify a delicate balance rather than a firm foundation. This could be interpreted to mean that no one food group takes precedence over another, and eating a variety of foods is key to good health.
To answer the question, how much should I eat to meet my nutrient needs? The number of servings to eat from each group is either 3 or within 1 serving of 3 – same as the sides of a triangle – a simple clue the graphic provides. With that as a general guideline, focus on the principle to “eat the right amount for you” and meet, not exceed, calorie needs. 3 servings are only a starting point, especially for high-fiber vegetables and whole grains.
The foods pictured are single-ingredient foods, which could emphasize limiting highly processed foods.
What else do you see?
This icon falls short when it comes to helping balance food groups within a meal, which MyPlate does very well. Although the MyPlate.gov website directs you to this new icon, as of this writing, you can still access MyPlate resources via https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/what-is-myplate. Encourage their continued availability. The MyPlate messages could be tweaked slightly to incorporate the messages in the new guidelines.
In addition to MyPlate, multiple other food guides use a similar approach:
Many food guides from around the world use plates and other helpful graphics
The upside-down pyramid does not help consumers know how to meet conflicting guidelines, such as limiting saturated fat alongside eating red meat and full-fat dairy. Starting with the “eat the right amount for you” guideline and determining one’s calorie level, assist people in knowing how many protein servings they can choose as red meat or full-fat dairy, while not exceeding their saturated fat limit.
You know how to do the math. You are the superhero.
Advocate for positive change
No previous set of dietary guidelines has prompted so many professional organizations and experts to cry foul and speak out regarding the controversies and contradictions they contain.
Collective voices, expressed respectfully, can make a big difference. Add your voice to the conversation. To assist RDNs in having a voice, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recently launched the “A Seat At Every Table” campaign:
“A Seat at Every Table is a nationwide initiative from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that highlights the vital role of nutrition and dietetics professionals in shaping nutrition decisions. The campaign emphasizes that nutrition and dietetics professionals offer the science-based, personalized expertise that social media, AI platforms, and unaccredited sources cannot. In a landscape crowded with opinions and hot takes, nutrition and dietetics professionals are the qualified, evidence-based experts who bring clarity, credibility, and context to nutrition conversations. Their expertise is essential—and deserves a seat at every table where health and nutrition decisions are made.”
Learn more about this campaign and download the member toolkit here: https://www.eatrightpro.org/news-center/member-updates/a-seat-at-every-table-member-toolkit
When the guidelines become mandates, be prepared to speak up for what is unrealistic, too costly, or even harmful. Do your homework and be prepared with factual data and evidence.
These guidelines are just one of many substantial changes to public health policy within the Make America Healthy Again agenda. For a summary of changes, see this article by Jessica Knurick, PhD, RDN: https://drjessicaknurick.substack.com/p/what-has-been-lost-one-year-into
Support what is positive, speak out against what is not. You CAN make a difference. You are a superhero.
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” ~ John R. Wooden
If you liked this content, please share it.
Comments