Dietary Advice

“The Politics of Government and Dietary Advice” goes in to depth on the ways governments set nutrition standards and how these standards have changed over time. Jennifer Falbe and Marion Nestle explain that the purpose of these guidelines is to help consumers make healthier food choices, but the recommendations of the government are influenced by more than just scientific research. When the WHO advised consumers to limit their sugar consumption, lobbyists from sugar organizations bombarded the WHO with criticisms, disclaiming their research and pointing out that this advice would have serious agricultural and economic drawback. After threatening to withdraw funds, the sugar organizations eventually got their way, and the WHO removed the report on sugar. Over the years, the recommended diet has become more vague and wordy, as the USDA tried to avoid telling consumers that certain foods were “bad” or that they should consume less of some things and more of others. They have struggled to keep all of the competing food industries content. The committee that decides on daily nutrient allowances is financially influenced, by the Dairy Industry and other agri-businesses. Unsurprisingly, the recommended servings of dairy increased from two to three in 2003. In 2005, the USDA released a new food pyramid guide that confuses consumers even more. The new pyramid does not include any pictures of food, or any indication of what the colored stripes mean because the goal was to not make certain foods seem bad. In Canada, the food recommendations have been similarly influenced by agricultural industries. The number of servings suggested of all food groups has increased by nearly double in some cases since 1947. One has to wonder whether the government is trying to get us to consume healthier foods, or just more of it. I don’t like the idea that food industries have so much power to determine what is “healthy” for us to eat. This article pointed out that the new food pyramid was confusing for consumers, and I couldn’t agree more. I had no idea that I had to go online to find what I should be eating. By removing the food images from the pyramid, they have essentially made it meaningless. The colored stripes all appear to be about the same size, and I did not know why the stripes tapered at the top before I read this. I would like to know more about the actual health effects of Dairy, and how much influence they have. I remember when the ADADC released their “3-a-Day” campaign in 2003, and heard all about the benefits of dairy. I promoted “3-a-day” myself in every newspaper article, farm meeting, and elementary school I attended, but I was paid by the ADADC which is funded by dairy farmers. I know there is sufficient research that refutes the health benefits of dairy, and I wonder what the true effects of dairy on the diet are.