Thread by @NutritionMadeS3

@USDA just released its literature review report (835 pages!!!) that will steer the 2020-2025 Guidelines

1st impressions:

1) focus on obesity/overweight (70% of Americans!), particularly children, and food insecurity/racial disparities (couldn't agree more) 👍💪

(cont.)

2) focus on *dietary patterns* over isolated nutrients or foods 💪💪👍

(cont.)

full report: dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/…

"dietary patterns associated with positive outcomes: vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, low- or nonfat dairy, lean meat/poultry, seafood, nuts, and unsaturated vegetable oils and low red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, and refined
grains"

(cont.)

"negative health outcomes are
associated with dietary patterns characterized by higher intake of red and processed meats,
sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, and refined grains"

(cont.)

USDA currently recommends 3 Food Patterns: Healthy U.S.-Style, Healthy Vegetarian and Healthy Mediterranean-Style

"these patterns provide majority of energy from plants (vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains,
nuts/seeds) and limit added sugar, solid fats, and sodium"

(cont.)

it seems we may be progressing from the past USDA shenanigans over SFA/cholesterol

"replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fats lowers incidence of CVD"

(cont.)

"The recommended shift from sat to unsat fat occurs best within healthy diet pattern:vegetables,fruit,legumes,whole grains,nuts/seeds,some veg oil, low-fat dairy, lean meat/poultry, fatty fish; lower red & processed meat, sugar-sweetened food and drinks, refined grains"

(cont.)

some uncertainty expressed about role of dietary cholesterol and type of carbs (somewhat understandable, and not damaging, as it is accurately balanced by accurate emphasis on dietary patterns)

(cont.)

bottomline:

1 - no huge differences or surprises

2- some areas to polish up but overall seems pretty balanced and evidence-based

3 - expect industry push-back shenanigans + back-pedaling by USDA + PCRM lawsuits in the months to come 🤣🤦‍♂️