Sometimes, as a General, I have to get tough. This is one of those times. I don’t begrudge anyone the right to choose whatever they want to eat. It’s their decision. Just don’t deceive or mislead us…ESPECIALLY, if it’s your job to serve and protect our welfare…our health. With the introduction of the new “Healthy Plate” today, our government is, regrettably, doing just that.
The new “Healthy Plate” introduced, today, by Health and Human Services and the Beef and Dairy Industry (USDA) to replace the less-than-usefull nutrition “steps” has a a fair amount of good…and a ton of bad.
I will give credit to a step in the right direction (though there are several flaws). The previous pyramid and “steps” were horrible. Now, the idea of having fuits/veggies/grains make up 75% of the plate is good. It’s simple and easy for people to understand. Add fruits, veggies, and grains. Make them the bulk of your diet. I do have issues that it doesn’t say “whole grains” , “low-fat dairy”, and “lean protein”. And, I have an issue with “dairy” and “protein” as their own categories…which is bull…sort of.
Dairy on the plate is a vehicle promoted by dairy to get calcium and vitamin D. Dairy is absolutely NOT necessary as a category. It’s a subset. The USDA, which promotes dairy in at least 9 unique websites, should simply fall within protein…and NOT as a standalone item!!!! Dairy is a subset…not a category!!!!!!!
The new plate allows for serious spin and marketing of meat, cheese, and milk…yet provides no additional guidance. The uneducated might think that they’re supposed to be eating meat and cheese at every meal. No distiction between lean protein, plant-based protein, or low-fat dairy! There’s no mention or promotion of beans (legumes IS a category), seeds, or nuts.
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In fact, protein is contained in many many vegetables and many many grains. To even have protein as a stand-alone item on the plate implies that veggies and grains are NOT enough. The plate is a mixed metaphor, making it look like you HAVE to get an animal component into your diet. I don’t see a slot on the plate for carbohydrates? Fats? Fiber? Why NOT? Why does protein (one of the 3 necessary substrates for maintaining good health) stand alone?? —– Why protein?? Secretary Vilsack — USDA — the meat and cheese man…that’s why! Remember this
article from the New York Times??
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As long as the USDA is involved in our health…we will spiral towards poor health. They’re NOT in the business of health. What we should eat is a health issue — ONLY…and should have NO input from those whose job it is to sell meat and cheese!
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Very simply….the USDA should be completely removed from the determination of what constitutes a healthy diet. Period. Paragraph. End of story. I sincerely believe that the USDA cares NOTHING about our declining health crisis! They simply care about making it “look” like they care about our health, with the masses simply accepting their view…becasue they don’t know any better.
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But, I like that fruits/veggies/grains are showing up in greater proportions (75%)…in an easier to understand format! Now, just add legumes as the other 25%.
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PS…Now, if we could only get subsidies to match the plate………………………..
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Dismissed!
