Every five years the federal government convenes a panel of academics and nutrition experts to review and revise the “National Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”

In addition to helping Americans better understand the components of a healthy diet, these guidelines are actually used to set policy and to provide a framework for local, state and national disease prevention and health promotion strategies.

The panel’s task is to examine where “sufficient scientific evidence is likely to be available that may inform revisions to the current guidance, or suggest new guidance.”

The panel’s report, and subsequent draft “2015 National Dietary Guidelines,” highlight America’s major diet-related health problems. The report concludes that half of all American adults have one or more preventable chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and diet-related cancers; all related to poor dietary patterns and lack of exercise. Two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are overweight or obese.

The report also shows the diets of most Americans lack sufficient vitamins such as A, C, D and E as well as minerals including calcium, magnesium and potassium. Most Americans don’t get enough fiber on a daily basis, eating far too few whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and far too many processed foods and refined sugars.

The panel identifies that in general a healthy diet is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and tree nuts, moderate in alcohol, lower in meat and much lower in sugar-sweetened foods and drinks as well as refined grains.

Promisingly, the study notes the reduced environmental impact of eating less meat as well as highlighting the barriers that many Americans, especially those with limited financial resources, face when working to change their own diets.

New ‘good’ and ‘bad’

There is good news in the new “Guidelines.” For example, caffeine and alcohol appear to be healthy for adults in moderation, but not for children, and not when combined. Stay away from the Red Bull and vodka, folks!

In fact, evidence suggests that coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes and may help ward off Parkinson’s disease.

The new “Guidelines” suggest an about-face with regard to cholesterol as we learn that it is much more complex than simply “good” and “bad.” The panel writes that cholesterol should no longer be considered a “nutrient of concern” as mounting proof points to a lack of correlation between cholesterol in the bloodstream and the consumption of cholesterol-rich foods. So please, we beg you: Stop eating those ridiculous egg white omelets, frittatas and breakfast sandwiches! Viva la egg yolk!

The most important recommendation contained in the draft “Guidelines” is to BOLD eat more fruit and vegetables. END BOLD The panel’s report emphasizes the idea that a diet high in fruits and vegetables actually helps to prevent disease.

Clarification with fats

We hope that future revisions of the “Guidelines” include improved study of the role played by saturated fats.

The current report does not differentiate between the saturated fat found in corn-fed, factory-farmed hamburger vs. that found in grass-fed beef, which is substantially higher in important nutrients like omega acids, or the saturated fats found in foods like avocados and coconuts, which our bodies process differently and are considered extremely healthy in many diets around the world.

We also would like to see future revisions better address dairy, especially raw dairy products. While the 2015 Guidelines suggest moderate intake of low- and no-fat dairy, independent research shows that whole raw milk and other non-homogenized, non-pasteurized dairy products are the most beneficial to our health.

Americans deserve to know much more.

The final version of the “National Dietary Guidelines” will be published later this year after a comment period. We encourage you to read the draft report as it is both comprehensive and interesting.

Perhaps while enjoying your eggs, toast and coffee this weekend?

Eat well and be well!

Lisa Boulware and Mark Ozias have been growing, processing, selling, purchasing, distributing, preparing and promoting locally-produced food in Sequim since 2004.