The American Dietary Guidelines have just come out and can be described as an epic fail. Minimal changes and an expectation that this will turn around the obesity epidemic we are all facing. I wonder how much the food industry were lobbying along the way?

Why get concerned with an American document? Unfortunately, many other countries take their lead from the USA.

The only change has been a recommendation to decrease sugar intake to 10% of calories. That’s where the World Health organization were over a year ago and they recommended down to 5% or about 5 teaspoons for adults. So the USA didn’t even get that one right.

What do you think the American Sugar Association had to say about it? They were not happy.

“Everyone recognizes it is important for Americans to eat healthy diets within caloric needs but strong scientific evidence should support all dietary recommendations. Therefore, the Sugar Association is disappointed that despite a lack of scientific evidence, the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an intake limit or target for “added sugars” of no more than 10 percent of daily calories. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are too important not to get them right.”

The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the equivalent of the Dietitians Association Australia) are now in a real dilemma. The new guidelines did not go as far as they recommended. In May of 2015 they submitted their opinion and were not being concerned by dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, and had their concerns with lowering salt intake. The latter 2 have been largely ignored in the new guidelines. What do they do now? Back to their corporate sponsors or do they lead the way and give the okay to greater amounts of saturated fat and salt.

What does it mean to me? Not much as I see those around me engaging in LCHF – Low sugar and Carbohydrate, Healthy Fat living and reaping the benefits.

The USA guidelines allow the bureaucracy to drag their heels but the population, you and me, are off and running without them.

http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/

http://www.eatrightpro.org/resource/news-center/on-the-pulse-of-public-policy/from-the-hill/academy-submits-2015-dga-recommendations?utm_content=bufferbe54b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

http://www.eatrightpro.org/resource/news-center/on-the-pulse-of-public-policy/regulatory-comments/dgac-scientific-report

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2015-us-dietary-guidelines-for-americans-advisory-committee-report-makes-recommendations-that-ignore-scientific-evidence-300038842.html

http://www.sugar.org/2015-dietary-guidelines-for-americans-recommendation-for-added-sugars-intake-agenda-based-not-science-based/

Put some perspective on what’s likely to kill us. The majority of modern disease has a preventable component, and at least a delaying aspect.

We are all going to die. Nothing stopping that. But will you die old or die sick?

The predisposing factors to cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, kidney and gastrointestinal disease as well as diabetes have large preventable and reversible factors.
That is centred around lifestyle and nutrition is central to that.

Living a LCHF lifestyle with low sugar and refined carbohydrate, a healthy fat intake and combining it with some exercise and the right amount of sleep is, in my understanding, going to decrease those risk factors.

Living healthy does not have to be hard work. Here’s to dying of a healthy old age.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-things-most-likely-to-kill-you-in-one-infographic-2015-2?r=US&IR=T

https://www.facebook.com/393958287365295/photos/a.407869679307489.94446.393958287365295/945987525495699/?type=3

In Victorian time the ‘poor’ blackened their teeth to look like royalty, not aware that the royal teeth were rotten.

Some options here for improving and preventing tooth decay.

The naysayers will sometimes bring up the Kitavan islanders as a reason to go high carb. Mike Sheridan puts the argument in perspective in a really easy way.
“Because:
They only consume carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables (not grains and sugar)
They get plenty of consistent sleep every night
They walk every day and have plenty of leisure time
They don’t sit at a desk for 40+ hours per week.”

Good health changes are there for the taking. You may need a bit of motivation to see that change is needed but self discipline will keep you on track. Seeing results and knowing how food affects you, particularly the hunger effects of sugar and carbs will help that discipline.

I totally agree with Ross’s concept in this article. I regularly get asked about motivation but we have forgotten the discipline side.

http://philmaffetone.com/37019-2/

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=946830852078033&id=393958287365295

Any one out there leading by example and showing others that LCHF living is enjoyable, healthy and sustainable?

This image was sent on to me at Christmas. Sums it all up for a lot of us.

Low levels of Vitamin D are associated with Type 1 Diabetes and poor control of blood glucose levels.

It is possible that Vitamin D is a significant contributor to blood glucose control and pancreatic cell damage.

We were given some artichoke plants last year and I put them in not knowing what to do with them.

They look great and I am after advice on when and what to do with them. I suspect next year might be in order as I might have missed the ideal picking time.