Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Kosciusko County Board of Health heard an update on dietary guidelines during a meeting on Monday, Feb. 16.
In her staff report, Teresa Reed, KCHD communicable disease nurse, said the Dietary Guidelines for Americans came out in January. With the new food pyramid, Reed said protein, dairy and healthy fats are now categorized together, "since they really do naturally often sit together."
One guideline includes planning meals around protein.
"Saturated fat I think is one of the greatest changes," said Reed. "One hundred years ago, we changed from natural saturated fats ... tallow, lard ... to using the more seed oils that take less processing. As we came into the heart-fat hypothesis, one of the things that's contaminated the older research is we can't split up the shortening and the margarines, the trans fats, from the natural saturated fats."
Reed noted the seed-based oils have a different carbon bond that makes them more fragile.
"It is kind of alarming, and it's a huge shift," said Reed. "Schools are going to see a huge shift in dietary standards. That's going to be a big difference."
Reed also told the board the U.S. Department of Agriculture is exploring the microbiome more.
"It's not as simple as 'bacteria bad,'" said Reed. "You actually need quite a balance of diverse bacteria and microbes in your gut. The more of the natural fibers from plants in particular, the more you feed your biome and balance that biome out. Adding a lot more fruits and vegetables (to the pyramid), it's a reassuring thing ... providing fruits and vegetables and healthy fats, it's good for the mental health."
Health Board Member Dr. David Hoffert asked Reed about statistics on whole milk.
"There is data out there that says if you feed children whole milk, they're more likely to be lean," said Reed.
The board's next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, April 20 in the Kosciusko County Courthouse.
