2010 Dietary Guidelines For Americans

        

        A nutritional balanced diet complimented by an active lifestyle formed part of the key recommendations of Nutritional Recommendations 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Nutritionally unbalanced diets combined with a lack of exercise through physical activities have been identified as possible causes of obesity/overweight. For example, as people are taken to work by car or other forms of transportation, sitting at a desk or in front of the computer at work, or even in front of the television or computer in their bedrooms, they become inactive and overweight/obese. Healthy eating patterns were recommended, with emphasis placed on reducing the amount of processed foods and limiting the amount of salt, sugar, and fat intake in foods.  "Encourage the consumption of five or more servings of vegetables and fruits daily. (...) Limit the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages" . (Parks, Kumanyika, & Stettler, 2010).

It was recommended that, people who are diagnosed as obese/overweight  should be prescribed diets low in fat and sugar, with the encouragement of high-fiber carbohydrates, for example, whole-wheat breads and other cereals. A lot of encouragement and support was also recommended for people who have to go without these high calorie foods, such as chips, beverages, crisps, and sweet snacks between meal. Recommendations were also made in ensuring the maintenance of appropriate calorie balanced diet during each stage of life, from pregnancy and breastfeeding, through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and older age. For example, in order to lay the foundation for good health in later life, a balanced nutritious diet is recommended for babies before birth. It was also recommended that during pregnancy women should eat a well-balanced diet which includes foods high in carbohydrates, low in total fat, protein foods, and eating plenty of fiber. According to research, "the nutrition recommendations for the prevention of childhood overweight are equivalent to those for normal growth and development for healthy children and adolescents. (Parks, Kumanyika, & Stettler, 2010).

            We need to consume nutrient-dense foods and beverages, such as leafy and  dark-green, red and orange  vegetables, iron-rich foods, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk products, seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, unsalted  nuts and seeds. We need to avoid energy-dense and low in nutrients foods, fast-foods, such as burgers and chips, which tend to be high in calories, and sweetened drinks and beverages, which are high in energy and low in nutrients. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) make comparisons between the recommendations and various aspects of a diet and yields a score; and the score indicates that in  comparison  to the realities of the U.S. diet, these recommendations show that,  too many foods rich/high in calories are consumed by Americans, while too few of nutrients -rich foods are consumed.  ((Sizer, & Whitney, 2012. p.36).

            I think that the information from the components of a food label, including the nutrition facts panel and the ingredient list provides consumers with the necessary information required in maintaining healthy and nutritious eating habits/practices. This information can help when making food choices, because, comparisons of foods and beverages can be made and one has the possibility to choose the most nutritious and well-balanced foods for one's health. The practice of reading food labels have been very beneficial to personal diet plan, because I have been able to avoid eating/consuming foods that  produce abnormal responses (allergic reactions) of the immune system to otherwise harmless foods.  This information has also taught me how to interpret ingredients on food labels and how to spot high-risks foods.

References

Parks, E. P., M.D., Kumanyika, S., & Stettler, N. (2010). Practical application of the nutrition       recommendations for the prevention and treatment of obesity in pediatric primary care. Pediatric Annals, 39(3), 147-53. Retrieved June 13, 2013, from    http://search.proquest.com/docview/217553639?accountid=32521

Sizer, F. S & Whitney, E. N.  (2012). Nutrition Concepts & Controversies (12th. ed. ). Belmont:   Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.