What foods and food components do Americans typically eat too ...

[bucstennis@aim.com]

What foods and food components do Americans typically eat too little or too much? Name several nutrient-dense foods that are recommended by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.

Question 2

Explain why the  Daily Value is used on food labels rather than the DRI values.

[aburgess]

Answer to Question 1

In general, we eat too many calories and too much solid fat, added sugars, refined grains, and sodium. Solid fats and added sugars should make up only a small proportion of total calories in the diet. Americans consume about 35 percent of total calories from foods high in solid fats and added sugarssoft drinks, desserts, fatty meats, French fries, pizza, and whole milk products, in contrast to a recommended limit of no more than 5 to 15 percent of total calories for most individuals.

We also consume too few vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Consumers eat only 15 percent of the recommended amount of whole grains, less than 60 percent for vegetables, about 42 percent for fruits, and 52 percent for milk and milk products.

Examples of nutrient-dense selections are:
 Vegetables, fruits, high-fiber whole grains
 Fat-free or low-fat dairy products
 Seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, soy products, nuts, seeds, and oils

Answer to Question 2

The  Daily Values for vitamins and minerals are calculated using standard values designed specifically for use on food labels. These standard values for nutrients were created to help manufacturers avoid a stumbling block they face as they label foods. Because manufacturers don't know whether you're an 18-year-old woman or a 30-year-old man, they don't know exactly what your nutritional needs are. You may recall that the DRI include a different set of vitamin and mineral recommendations for each gender and age group.