Nutrition Principles in the United States of America - Essay Example

Nutrition Around the World "Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint" (MarkTwain as cited in Green, 2002) Mark Twains humorous quote indicates the long held importance that Americans have placed on their dietary content in an effort to remain healthy. In fact, in 1894 before the discovery of vitamins or minerals the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its first in a long series of food guides (Lang, 2002). It has been updated over the years as new information has become available. The most familiar guide is the food pyramid that is a graphical illustration of foods and their relative amounts that are required to maintain good health. It was recently updated in 2005 to accommodate the growing use of the Internet. Though the current version is not as visually convenient as prior editions, it has the added dimension of providing more complete information. The USDA food pyramid makes recommendations based on food types and basic nutritional requirements and has remained a mainstay of the USs food educational program. Though our food sources vary considerably when compared to Asia or the Mediterranean, our nutritional recommendations are quite similar when compared to other diets from around the world. The USDA food pyramid makes recommendations based on our agricultural resources and our culture. In the US the major source of protein is from red meat. The USDA suggests approximately 6 ounces of a combination of lean red meat and beans a day for the average adult male (Inside the pyramid, 2005). This will vary based on age, gender, and the amount of physical activity. This is in contrast to the Asian and the Mediterranean diets that use beans and nuts as a primary source of protein. In many of these countries, including India, meat may be consumed as little as one serving per month (The Asian diet,2006). These changes result in an Asian diet that derives many of its calories from fat, but the fat is unsaturated and may be a healthier diet (The Mediterranean diet, 2007). In addition, many Mediterranean diets are high in cold water fish, which supplies a generous amount of the healthy omega-3 oils (Mediterranean diet, 2008). The Asian diet lists fish as optional, which is especially relevant to the numbers of Chinese that live inland and away from the costal waters (The Asian diet, 2006). These differences are largely a result of different economies and different agricultural resources. In the US, and also in Europe, diets are rich in the presence of dairy products. This has come about as a result of tradition and climates favorable for the production of milking animals. The USDA recommends 3 cups of milk per day and specifies that it must contain calcium (Inside the pyramid, 2005). This is equivalent to 4.5 ounces of cheese or 3 cups of yogurt. The Mediterranean diet and the Asian diet both suggest little dairy products or cheese (Mediterranean diet, 2008, The Asian diet, 2006). The low levels of calcium in these diets has been the cause of some concern due to its association with osteoporosis. However, it has been reported that this risk is minimized due to the increase in physical activity of the Chinese especially in the rural areas (The Asian diet, 2006). Carbohydrates have been the focus of much debate about nutrition and their relationship to weight gain in the recent past. They are consumed in the form of breads, pasta, fruits, vegetables, and rice. They can also be found in abundant quantities in our daily sources of sugar. While many advocates extol the virtues of a low carbohydrate diet, many carbohydrates in the proper quantity form a healthy diet (Carbohydrates: Good carbs guide the way, 2007). Suggested quantities vary depending on age, gender, and physical activity with the USDA recommending 230-330 grams per day for an adult male (Food and Nutrition Board, 2005, p.265). Sugars, a member of the carbohydrate group, can be found in soft drinks, deserts, candy, vegetables, and fruits. The amount will vary depending on the ripeness of the fruit and cooking time, and the suggested intake of sugar varies depending on the energy intake (Food and Nutrition Board, 2005, p.267. 269). Carbohydrates in the correct proportions are a vital component of a healthy diet in the US. The Mediterranean and Asian diets both consist of foods that are high in carbohydrates mainly from increased quantities of fruits and vegetables (Mediterranean diet, 2008, The Asian Diet, 2006). The Asian diet is often based on the staple rice and also contains large amounts of carbohydrate rich fruits and vegetables (The Asian Diet, 2006). Carbohydrates in the correct proportions is a vital component of a healthy diet in the US and around the world. Oils are an essential part of diets both in the US and in other countries. In the US the large number of oil sources has brought into question the types and amounts that are required for a healthy diet. While the USDA recommends 5-6 tablespoons per day for an adult, this also must consider the type of oil consumed (Inside the pyramid, 2005). Solid fats from animals are high in saturated fats and their use should be restricted. Oils from plants such as olives and avocados have no cholesterol and are considered healthy in preventing heart disease. The Asian diet benefits from using vegetable oils, which are low in saturated fat, instead of animal fat and butter as in the US (The Asian Diet, 2006). The Mediterranean diet derives many of its calories from fat, mainly from olive oils and vegetables, but the fat is unsaturated and does not greatly negatively impact the health of the diet (Mediterranean diet, 2008). The US derives its fat from canola, sunflowers, olives, animals, and dairy products (Inside the pyramid, 2005) The USDA food pyramid can be helpful in determining the levels that compose a healthy diet. The wide variety of foods that are available in the US gives the American public the opportunity to maintain a healthy diet. However, this availability and its low cost has also led to improper attention to our food. One of the major issues in the US is obesity. Weight gain is a complex problem that has the diet at its foundation. Food is often consumed in quantities well in excess of the recommended guidelines. In addition, carbohydrates in the form of sugar are consumed and often masked by their addition to other healthy food sources (Inside the pyramid, 2005). Because the US diet is rich in meat, there is a tendency to intake too much saturated fat and cholesterol. This has been noted as a leading cause of heart disease in this country. While the American public has the opportunity to consume ample amounts of food, people often fail to consider the overall nutritional value of their food. Fruits, vegetables, and grains may not be being eaten in adequate quantities. These foods contain the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to maintain good health (Inside the pyramid, 2005). In addition, improper handling and preparation often renders these elements worthless. Breads and grains contain B vitamins that are essential for good physical and mental health, while fruits and vegetables contain folic acid that is known to reduce the risk of birth defects (Inside the pyramid, 2005). A well balanced diet needs to satisfy the bodys requirements for vitamins, minerals, metals, and other elements to be of a long lasting value. While the US is the breadbasket of the world, the public may be gorging the body while starving for nutrition. The United States love of food and interest in nutrition dates back over one hundred years with the introduction of the USDA guidelines that have evolved over the last century. The food pyramid, an American icon, continues to serve and advise the public on proper nutritional needs. While our sources of nutrition may vary from other continents in the world, all diets strive to meet the necessary requirements for the building blocks of good health. Regional products and local traditions allow adequate substitutions for protein, fat, and carbohydrate sources. The US has the resources to provide the greatest amounts of food at the lowest cost as anywhere else in the world. While this could be a national blessing, the public is at risk of over consuming the wrong types of foods. The country may be blessed with food while failing to recognize the importance and value of the USDA food pyramid. References The Asian diet (2006). Retrieved January 21, 2008, from http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtot36.htm Carbohydrates: Good carbs guide the way (2007). Retrieved January 21, 2008, from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates.html Food and Nutrition Board: Institute of Medicine . (2005). Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein, and amino acids (macronutrients). Washington, DC: National Academies Press. Greene, L. (2002, December 2). Food pyramid history. Retrieved January 21, 2008, from http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall02/Greene/history.htm Inside the pyramid (2005). Retrieved January 21, 2008, from http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html Lang, S. (1996, January 18). CU scientists help to develop Asian Diet Pyramid. Retrieved January 21, 2008, from http://www.news.cornell.edu/chronicle/96/1.18.96/AsianDiet.html Mediterranean diet: What is the Mediterranean diet? (2008). Retrieved January 21, 2008, from http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4644 The Mediterranean diet: Can it reduce your risk for heart disease? (2007). Retrieved January 21, 2008, from http://www.womensheartfoundation.org/content/Nutrition/mediterranean.asp Read More