Just a few months after the government released its newest nutritional guidelines for Americans, called MyPlate, researchers at Harvard School of Public Health decided to offer their own modified version.
The Healthy Eating Plate, as the alternative plan is called, offers more specific recommendations for following a healthy diet than MyPlate, which was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS).
The Harvard plan is based on the most up-to-date nutrition research, [which] provides consumers with the information they need to make choices that can profoundly affect their health and wellbeing, said Dr. Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health. He went on to say that he and his team tried to address the shortcomings of the governments guidelines: The main thing is that MyPlate isnt specific enough to really give enough guidance.
Like the MyPlate icon, the Harvard recommendations are conceived in form of a plate. There is a similar division in four sections for fruit, vegetables, grains and protein but with added information on what foods in each category are actually healthier than others. For example, a clear distinction is being made between grains and whole grains. A fat burning review can help you establish a clear describe of what you need to focus on to complete your fat reduction purpose if you're a novice; or serve as a reminder for the ones who are at an intermediate or more enhance stage of their weightloss program. Promptly after are seven steps that can serve as methods for your special weight loss system. The first thing that one must understand is that losing weight and losing fat is not the same thing. Many weight loss applications have misled people into thinking that it is the same, but most diets and weight loss applications only work by producing a person's body to burn more muscle cells and water than actual body fat, more help please visit The Fat Loss Factor. Whole grains are part of a healthy diet, while refined grains such as white bread and white rice are not.
Likewise, not all sources of protein are equally recommended. Fish, beans, nuts and, to a lesser extent, poultry and lean meats are considered good sources, however, red meat, bacon, cold cuts and processed meats are not and should be avoided altogether.
Even vegetables are not all safe. Most are, but potatoes, especially in form of French fries, shouldnt count as healthy. The reason is that potatoes are full of rapidly digested starch and can have a roller-coaster effect on blood sugar levels and insulin secretion which can lead to overeating with all its well-known consequences.
With regards to oils, the governments guidelines are mum. But there are healthy fats we can get from olive- and canola oil and they are important to mention, according to Dr. Willet.
He is also critical of the inclusion of milk in every meal, as the MyPlate graphic seems to suggest by adding a separate container for dairy products. Modest dairy consumption is OK, he said, but having a glass of milk with every meal is excessive and does not reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The Harvard plate replaces milk with water and recommends only one or two servings of low-fat milk per day. The consumption of fruit juices should be limited, while sugary sodas should be completely avoided.
The Healthy Eating Plate also features a symbol reminding us of the importance of exercise, something that is completely missing from the MyPlate graphic.
One of the reasons for publishing an alternative and arguably improved version of the just released USDA guidelines is the growing frustration among health- and nutrition experts over the domineering influence of the food industry on government policy-making. Unfortunately, like the earlier USDA [Food] Pyramids, MyPlate mixes science with the influence of powerful agricultural interests, which is not a recipe for healthy eating, said Dr. Willett.
Other nutrition experts voiced criticism with regards to some aspects of the Harvard approach. For example, some noted that dairy products like milk and yogurt should not be limited for children because of the importance of sufficient calcium supply during growth. Others worried that the new graphic was too detailed and too hard for many consumers to follow. Defenders of the MyPlate say that the strength of the USDA icon is its simplicity, while it is also much more intuitive and self-explanatory than the Food Pyramid variations of the past. It would not be helpful to give up on that advantage by adding on more information.
I think that both the USDA and the Harvard concept are a step in the right direction. Considering how much consumers are already confused about eating right and staying healthy, user-friendliness is certainly a virtue. Those who are ready and willing to embark on a regimen of good nutrition and regular exercise learn very quickly that its not a one-step process but a life-long journey that has many ups and downs. So it makes sense to begin with a few essentials and go from there as one progresses. In the end, success will only come with stick-to-itiveness and the willingness to keep learning Im sure the Harvard professors can appreciate that.
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a clinical dietitian and author of the book The Healthy Diner How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun, which is available on her blog, Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D. ( http://www.timigustafson.com), and at amazon.com. You can follow Timi on Twitter and on Facebook.
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