Dietary Guidelines 2015-2020: 5 facts you need to know

This Thursday morning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture finally released the expected 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, after much debate and controversy. Here, what you need to know:

1. The main message has not changed as the guidelines recommend to eat a healthy diet including a variety of vegetables, fruits (preferably whole), grains (at least half of them whole), a mix of proteins (lean meats, low fat or fat free dairy products, nuts, and seafood), and oils. The guidelines encourage a Healthy Style Eating Pattern to prevent chronic diseases.
2. The new recommendation from the guidelines is for Americans to have no more than 10% of their daily calories from added sugars. The guidelines also recommend limiting saturated fat to 10% of the daily calories (unchanged from 2010) and sodium intake to 2300 mg or less.
3. One of the controversies was about the low fat dairy recommendation, as some evidence suggest that this is not necessary and that full fat dairy are OK to eat in moderation. But, considering that most Americans are overweight or obese, choosing fat-free and low –fat dairy products can help to cut calories in the diet.
4. The other controversy was about red and processed meat, after the WHO Report which declared red and processed meats as carcinogenics. The media was expected a dietary limit for red meats, but there is no change from the 2010 dietary guidelines where the recommendation for the meats, poultry, and eggs subgroup in the Healthy U.S.-Style Eating Pattern at the 2,000-calorie level is 26 ounce-equivalents per week.  However, there is a message to eat more seafood (8 or more oz per week), legumes and other protein foods. I am pleased with the fact that the guidelines do not highlight specific foods, looking more on dietary patterns and balance.   
5. No changes in alcohol recommendations. Up to one drink for women and up to two drinks for men, of legal drinking age.