Dietary Guidelines Opened for Comment

February 7, 2000

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000, has been released for public comment. Response from the food and beverage industries is mostly positive. The guidelines continue to allow for the use of alcoholic beverages but "in moderation."

That caught the attention of the Wine Institute. The institute "supports the continuation of the definition of moderation." The new guidelines also acknowledge that meals "slow alcohol absorption," something that "pleased" the institute.

"An area of preliminary concern, however, which the institute trusts can be addressed as the review process moves forward, is the need for more scientific balance in the proposed guideline wording," the institute said in a statement. "The advisory committee’s laudatory intention to warn against the risks of excessive consumption has led to commentary that predominantly addresses issues of abuse and fails to equally acknowledge the extensive research findings on moderate consumption for those who choose to drink."

The dairy industry "hailed" the guidelines for including "solid, scientifically-based advice on how to include nutrient-rich dairy products in the diet," said the National Dairy Council. The council reiterated its position that the "scientific and practical facts about lactose intolerance" need to be considered in the context of the guidelines.

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which advocates a vegetarian diet, sought to block the release of the guidelines, partly on the claim that they ignored the needs of minority Americans who suffered from lactose intolerance. A U.S. district court denied the injunction.

"The draft dietary guidelines contain many good recommendations for all Americans concerning the consumption of dairy products," said Greg Miller, vice president of nutrition research for the NDC. "While many Americans, particularly those in minority groups, have little or no lactase in their systems the vast majority have no trouble digesting dairy products because of how their bodies adjust to this condition. Those who do have digestive discomfort would often do better...to try lactose-free dairy products and dairy products such as hard cheese and yogurt so they can easily get the calcium and other nutrients they need in their diets."

Mary K. Young, executive director, nutrition, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said the goal of the guidelines is not for people to eat no fat "but rather manage the fat they eat by avoiding hidden fats in foods, choosing lean options and staying within the 30% calories from fat guideline."

The committee recommended that the guidelines change from "choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol" to "choose a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol and moderate in total fat." That "represents a recognition that people have interpreted the original fat guideline too strictly," said Young.

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, in announcing the guidelines, made no comment on the content. He thanked the committee members for their "hard work over the past year" noted there will be a public comment period and a public hearing to solicit additional input.

The guidelines suggest a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat; that beverages and food that limit sugar intake be consumed; and that less salt be used, and "if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation."

Those four guidelines "help you make sensible choices that promote health and reduce risk of certain chronic diseases," the guidelines continue. "You can enjoy all foods as part of a healthy diet as long as you don’t overdo on fat (especially saturated fat), sugars, salt and alcohol." The guidelines also recommend that consumers "aim for a health weight" and "be physically active each day."

The report is available on the Internet at http://www.ars.usda.gov/dgac/.