America is getting fatter, and the federal government is hell-bent in fighting it with its latest recommendations.
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a federal committee in charge of developing nutritional recommendations that will be adopted by other government agencies overseeing the health and well-being of U.S. citizens, is strongly recommending major changes in the way Americans should eat.
In a report that is composed of almost 600 pages, DGAC recommends that it's time for people to adopt a plant-based diet, a plan that encourages dining more on vegetables, nuts, and legumes, then some fruits, and very less on meat and dairy. These include Mediterranean and vegetarian.
Those who adhere to a full-fledged plant-based diet believe they are getting the right nutrients from these types of food. Because most vegetables and fruits also don't have very high calories, a person can eat a lot of them and still not overeat. They are also great for environment sustainability.
DGAC also believes that there's already a need for trained intervention specialists who will be responsible for making sure that the community, whether it's a workplace or a school, follows the recommended guidelines and that their weight is properly managed.
The recommendations also mention more taxes on those that are likely to make people fat. Aside from taxes on soda, they are also calling on imposing the same on food rich in sugar such as desserts and those with very high sodium. The revenues from these taxes can then be used to broaden nutrition-related education and programs.
Believing that the media has a very strong influence on a person's diet, especially among children, DGAC wants to limit the ad time of junk food commercials. The committee hopes that a person's access to food that is high in calories will also be restricted, especially in public areas, although this is already ongoing. Many schools and offices have already removed vending machines filled with sweets and beverages or have changed the contents to something more nutritious.
The report is open for comments within the next 45 days.