Current Grain Consumption Issues from a Research
Perspective
Lisa Harnack, DrPH, RD
Associate Professor
Division of Epidemiology
University of Minnesota
Issue # 1 Current dietary recommendations favor
consumption of grains, future recommendations will likely
place greater focus on quality and quantity
Price
Availability
Convenience
Nutrition/ Health
Taste
Promotion/ advertising
Price
Availability
Convenience
Nutrition/ Health
Taste
Promotion/ advertising
Let the Pyramid guide your food choices
Choose a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains
Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables daily Keep food safe to eat
Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat
Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars
Choose and prepare foods with less salt If you drink alcoholic beverages,
do so in moderation
Future dietary recommendations related to grains and grain-based
products
2005 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
• Consume a variety of foods within and among the basic food groups while staying within energy needs
• Control calorie intake to manage body weight
• Be physically active everyday
• Increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat milk and milk products
• Choose fats wisely for good health
• Choose carbohydrates wisely for good health
• Choose and prepare foods with little salt
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation
• Keep food safe to eat
2005 Food Guide Pyramid (?)
• Simplified graphical image and possible addition of logo
• Communicate guidance through multiple channels and materials
• Greater focus on food pattern needs of individuals based on age, sex, and activity level to promote calorie balance
• Maximum amount of discretionary calories and solid fats will be provided by calorie level
Issue #2 Non-governmental dietary ‘recommendations’ are
reaching the public and influencing grain consumption
Trends in age-adjusted mean intake of macronutrients, males 25-74 years, MHS
39.3 38.335.2
30.7 32.4
42.1 44.147.6
52.249.9
15.6 15.6 15.7 15.915.8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1980-82 1985-87 1990-92 1995-97 2000-02
% kcals
FatCarbohydrateProtein
Issue #3: Strategies for abating the obesity epidemic may have
major implications for grain consumption
Diet-related solutions to the obesity epidemic
Modified diets: Low-fat, low-carbohydrate, high nutrient density diet, etc.
EAT LESS Behavioral interventions- self-monitoring
(self weighing, calorie counting) Environmental changes: Modify food
availability, portion sizes, pricing, promotion, etc.
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