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

Support programs that encourage physical activity such as Safe Routes to School

Spring is officially here and Jefferson County Public Health encourages everyone to get outside and get active. Physical activity can help improve your health. Check out the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines and the national “Let’s Move” campaign.

Everyone can benefit from physical activity. Unfortunately, most children in Jefferson County are not getting the recommended amount of physical activity per day. Our 2013 community health assessment data showed that in 2009, only 39% of children ages 5-14 met the physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes of activity a day.

Safe Routes to School Programs SRTS programs provide educational opportunities and infrastructure support for people to increase their physical activity by making it easier and safer to walk and bike in their community. All kids deserve safe routes to school in their community. HB14-1301, is a measure currently in the state legislature to increase walking and bicycling in Colorado through Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs. The Colorado SRTS program is at risk without passage of House Bill 1301. Consider emailing your elected official to educate them on the importance of creating environments around schools that allow students and parents to walk, bike or scoot safely to school. Click here to sign up for updates and for more information on the bill.