What the New 2015 Dietary Guidelines Mean for You

The 2015 U.S. Dietary guidelines could have a major impact on heart health, diabetes risk and obesity reduction. In the latest recommendations, fruits and vegetables get a boost, sugar takes a hit, fat content shifts, eggs win a reprieve and meat loses ground. The Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is now available. The public is encouraged to submit written comments to the federal government on the Advisory Report. Public comments will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on May 8, 2015.

The new guidelines suggest a healthy diet is high in vegetables and fruits, whole grains, low-fat and nonfat dairy, seafood and legumes and nuts. Additionally, a healthy diet is lower in red and processed meats, and low in sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, and refined grains.

New guideline “winners” for 2015:

• Vegetables & fruits: Beneficial across all health outcomes, including heart disease, diabetes and hypertension;
• Whole grains: A great source of much needed fiber, vitamins and minerals;
• Dairy: Provides calcium and many other necessary nutrients;
• Coffee: Associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease; and,
• Eggs & shellfish: While high in cholesterol, eggs and shellfish are low in saturated fat. And, most interestingly, cholesterol in food doesn’t appear to raise blood cholesterol levels, but saturated and trans fats do, which is bad for heart health.

For more information:

View web site and background history of the U.S. Dietary guidelines