“Make Every Bite Count”…Hmmm

Today I was diving into the recently released Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) 2020. This is an exciting time in the world of dietitians! It seems like almost every day there’s an article in the news that contains some kind of food/diet related controversy. We hear so many different things about eggs, red meat, “low carb” diets…the list goes on. As a dietitian, one of my responsibilities is to try to keep up with it all—what a task! The DGA helps with this, as it is packed with useful information, research on previous dietary patterns, and suggestions for which foods and nutrients to increase and decrease in our diet to promote the best outcomes for our health. The guidelines are updated every 5 years, and the 2020 Guidelines include 4 overarching recommendations:

• “Follow a healthy dietary pattern at every life stage”
• “Customize and enjoy nutrient-dense food and beverage choices to reflect personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary considerations.”
• “Focus on meeting food group needs with nutrient-dense foods and beverages, and stay within calorie limits.”
• “Limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium, and limit alcoholic beverages.”

Solid guidance here! As I was looking through the different statistics and evidence-based recommendations inside of the hefty DGA, I took a step back and thought about the title of this latest version. “Make Every Bite Count”. This phrase is referenced multiple times in the guidelines, and I really love what it implies. Sometimes when we get too bogged down with specific recommendations, percentages, macronutrient grams, or trying to have the perfect diet, food choices can be overwhelming and not even enjoyable. If you’re feeling that way as you try to navigate your food choices—go back to the basics and think of the title of these latest guidelines. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain weight, lower your cholesterol, improve your blood sugar levels: “make every bite count”. We don’t have to eat perfectly at all times to be healthy, but I would encourage you to keep this phrase in mind as you go through the day. I will be working on the same thing myself! 😊

 

By Julia Blackford