Chapter 2 NUTRITION TOOLS
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
Summary
Why worry about our diets?
Government recommendations for nutrient intakes.
Standards and guidelines
DRIs
DVs
USDA food guide and pyramid
Exchange system
Contemporary problems
Why Worry about our Diet?
Very few of us eat a nutritious diet.
Evidence:
The US population is FAT, including our children and other nations
are now following suit. For an alternative explanation visit
Worldwide many people suffer and die from diseases caused by or
worsened by dietary excess or deficiency.
What nutrients do you need?
How do you find out what nutrients you need and in what amounts?
How do you find out what foods or combinations of foods you need
to supply those nutrients?
Government Recommendations
Why does the government care?
What standards do they use?
DRIs = Dietary Reference Intakes
DV = Daily Values
Who sets the DRIs?
How does the committee set DRIs?
Research studies: balance studies (intake vs output) and case
studies.
DRIs are reviewed continually as new studies are performed.
Standards and Guidelines
DRI lists (pp. A,B, &C at the front of your book)
EER = estimated energy requirements (calories)
RDA’s = recommended daily allowance or
AI’s = adequate intakes
UL’s = tolerable upper limits – nutrients that are harmful in large
quantities.
Adjustments for age, gender and pregnant and lactating women.
Not shown: EAR = estimated average requirement, the basis for
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RDAs
DRIs
Based on scientific research.
Set to minimize the probability of deficiency and cause “no”
toxicity.
Optimal intakes not minimums.
Set to provide for normal growth and maintenance and to reduce
chronic disease risks.
Apply to “healthy people”.
Daily Values (DV)
Pros of DVs
A little more user friendly.
**Allow for comparison of the nutrient values for different foods.
Cons for DVs
Set for the “average” person. Does it apply to all age groups,
allow for activity levels, and special needs?
Is it listed on all foods?
Can you use the DRIs and DVs to plan your diet?
Examine Appendix A-1 and try to figure the nutrient value of one of
your meals from the 24-hour diet analysis list.
USDA Food Guide, fig 2-4
**Connects nutrients and actual food groups.
Estimates serving size – examine a few.
Includes information about nutrient density
Characteristics:
Cons: doesn’t list number of servings.
USDA Food Guide
Discretionary Calorie Allowance – the difference between calories
in foods necessary to meet nutritional requirements and calories
necessary to maintain weight (energy containing foods).
Moderation – recommends nutrient dense food. You may eat
more of these or substitute nutrient dense foods as your
discretionary calorie allowance. This allows you to “cheat” a
little.
How many servings? Helpful Tables
Meal Planning – Table 2.3. Translate the amounts of foods
recommended for your gender and activity level to actual foods.
Table 2.4 – Weekly vegetables – a variety of these is linked to
special nutrients in each group.
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Standards and Guidelines
USDA Food Pyramid
Visual representation of the Daily Food Guide.
Old pyramid gives information about number of servings and
pictures of foods included in each group.
USDA Food Guide and Pyramid – are they good for everyone?
Generally for the “average” adult, however there are pyramids
and/or guides for children and pregnant or lactating women.
Cultural preferences (there are pyramids/guides for different
cultures, fig 2.8)
New guidelines – January 2005
Recommends no more than 1 tsp of added salt per day.
Recommends exercise - 30-60 minutes per day every day.
New appearance – visit MyPyramid.gov. Do you think this
pyramid is easy to understand and use?
Exchange System, Appendix D - Pros
Originally set up for people with diabetes.
Takes into account that foods contain multiple nutrients.
Examples - Bread, cereal
Basis for Weight Watchers.
Contemporary Problems
Typical diets – 70% of American diets are inadequate.
What are the Food Trends (especially in the US).
Restaurants – what are their portion sizes? Do they offer “healthy
choices”?
Advertising – how does it affect you?
What can you do?
Analyze your intake
Read food labels and know what they mean.
Look for alternatives to calorie dense and high fat foods.
***Exercise
Controversy - Phytochemicals
Read pp 57-58.
What are phytochemicals?
Is there evidence supporting their benefits?
Should you take supplements of isolated phytochemicals?
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