US food guidelines draw criticism from experts

US food guidelines draw criticism from experts

Eggs are in and sugar is out according to the newest US food guidelines, but the recommendations are already proving controversial.

The guidelines state that eggs and other sources of dietary cholesterol are no longer concern for human health.

Coffee also gets a ringing endorsement – up to 5 small cups a day.

But salt is now subject to more scrutiny, with the recommendations saying no more than 1 teaspoon a day is appropriate.

Added sugar should make up no more than 10 percent of your calories and the same rule applies for saturated fat.

It's the first time the US has set a recommended limit for a safe amount of sugar in a person's diet. But that advice is also drawing criticism from experts like Stefanie Vandevijvere, who say it means little to the everyday person.

"They focus their advice on limiting intake on nutrients of concern, rather specifying for the public what are the exact foods that people should be eating less of.

"Eating less sodium means eating less processed foods, consuming less added sugar means limiting intake of sugary drinks," she says.

While reaction to what's in the US food guidelines has been mixed, experts here are most concerned about what's been left out – particularly when it comes to a Kiwi favourite, meat.

Processed meats like sausages and bacon were linked to cancer last year by the World Health Organisation, but don't appear as red flags in the new US guidelines.

And concerns over the sustainability of meat production were removed entirely from the final report.

The message from experts is to eat meat in moderation, and a plant-based diet is best for you and the planet.

3 News