The Best Diet for Kids
From USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College
of Medicine
Where can parents find practical,
scientifically sound nutrition advice? "The Dietary Guidelines
for Americans provide the best science-based advice available
regarding what to eat to promote health and reduce the risk of
chronic, diet-related disease," said Dr. Theresa Nicklas,
a CNRC researcher and Baylor College of Medicine professor of
pediatrics.
Nicklas was one of 13 scientists
who recently served on the Dietary Guidelines Committee. Convened
by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human
Services (HHS), the committee was asked to review and recommend
changes to the 2000 Dietary Guidelines. Their recommendations
will form the foundation for the new 2005 Dietary Guidelines to
be released early this year.
"A new committee of experts
is convened every five years to review and update the guidelines
to ensure they remain relevant and reflect the most up-to-date
information available on the role of diet in health," Nicklas
said. Reviewing the guidelines on a regular basis also ensures
that they address current nutritional challenges.
More produce and whole
grains
"Our recommendations specifically advise eating more fruits,
vegetables, whole grains and low-fat milk products, because recent
research shows that these health-promoting foods are poorly represented
in the American diet," Nicklas said.
The committee also tackled the
fad-diet craze, emphasizing that no matter the source —
whether carbohydrate, fat or protein — calories do count
when it comes to weight management. "The best way to attain
and maintain a healthy weight is to stay within your energy needs
by choosing foods wisely from within all food groups and to be
physically active at least 30 minutes every day," Niklas
said.
The committee also evaluated the
latest science regarding the effect of different types of fats
on health.
"We recommended that Americans
limit trans fats, which increase cardiovascular disease risk,
to one percent or less of total calories and that most adults
consume at least two servings of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids
per week," she said. Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been
shown to protect the heart, are also found in soybeans, canola,
flaxseeds and walnuts.
"The guidelines continue to
be the best science-based advice available for Americans over
the age of 2 on what and how to eat for health," Nicklas
said.
The following nine recommendations
incorporate the key scientific findings of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines
Committee:
• Consume a variety of
foods within and among the basic food groups while staying within
energy needs.
• Control calorie intake to manage body weight.
• Be physically active every day.
• Increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables, whole
grains and nonfat or low-fat milk and milk products.
• Choose fats wisely for good health.
• Choose carbohydrates wisely for good health.
• Choose and prepare foods with little salt.
• If an adult, drink alcoholic beverages in moderation.
• Keep food safe to eat.
© Child Nutrition Research
Center
Located in the Texas Medical Center
in Houston, Texas, the Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
is a USDA/Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) research facility
operated under a cooperative agreement with Baylor College of
Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital. The CNRC is one of six
USDA/ARS human nutrition research centers. Its mission is to define
the nutrient needs of healthy children from conception through
adolescence and in pregnant and nursing women. Visit them at www.kidsnutrition.org.
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