The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA publish a report every year with dietary guidelines to help foster healthy eating patterns for Americans. Upon the release of each new report, the beef industry waits with bated breath to see what the report recommends in terms of eating red meat.
The initial 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans report was released last summer and followed with a commenting period. HHS and USDA released the finalized report Dec. 29. For the first time, the new report provides guidance by each stage of life, including pregnancy and lactation to older adulthood.
The report notes the importance of meeting food group needs with nutrient-dense foods that have little or no added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Proteins, including lean meats, make up a core component of a healthy dietary pattern.
“Beef is one of Americans’ favorite foods, and science consistently shows lean beef can be the cornerstone in a variety of healthy diets,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Marty Smith upon release of the report. “Now more than ever, the key to proper nutrition is giving people practical and realistic advice, to help create balanced diets that work for them—featuring foods they love, like beef, which pairs perfectly with other nutrient-rich foods.”
The guidelines recommend lean meat be a part of a person’s diet starting as soon as six months old. Iron- and zinc-rich foods are important for infant health, and babies who are exclusively fed human milk may even need iron- and zinc-rich foods earlier than six months.
Lean meats also help prevent the loss of lean muscle mass that occurs naturally with age, according to the report. The report does note processed meats can contain a high amount of sodium, and intake should be limited.
Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom, NBC News contributor and diet and nutrition expert, said the new report has the same fundamental message of encouraging whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, dairy products, and a small amount of fats. She added the message has changed that it’s about balance and dietary patterns over time, rather than a single day or single week.
Other details
There are four key quantitative recommendations in the report:
• Added sugars should be less than 10 percent of calories per day for ages 2 and older, and infants and toddlers should not receive any added sugars;
• Saturated fat should be less than 10 percent of calories per day starting at age 2;
• Sodium intake should be less than 2,300 milligrams per day, and even less if under 14; and
• Alcoholic drinks should be limited to two drinks or less a day for men and one drink or less a day for women.
“Most of the calories a person eats each day (around 85 percent) are needed for foods rich in nutrients that help the person meet food group recommendations,” the report read. “Only a small amount of calories (about 15 percent) are left over for added sugars, saturated fat, and, (if consumed) alcohol.”
The average American still does not follow the Dietary Guidelines, with the average diet scoring a 59 out of 100 on the Healthy Eating Index. For more information and to learn what your diet should look like, visit myplate.gov.
“The Dietary Guidelines framework purposely provides recommendations by food groups and subgroups—not specific foods and beverages—to avoid being prescriptive. This framework approach ensures that people can ‘make it their own’ by selecting healthy foods, beverages, meals, and snacks specific to their needs and preferences,” the report concluded. — Anna Miller, WLJ editor
