This summer the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee released their recommendations for revisions to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The report included several areas of change from the 2005 Guidelines but probably the biggest area of change is the recommendation for sodium intake.
Currently the recommended daily intake is 2,300 milligrams per day and the 2010 report calls for 1,500 milligrams per day. The report is currently being reviewed by the departments in the federal government and a final report is expected by the end of the year.
The new recommendation is a result of a review of the science which indicates that Americans continue to consume more sodium than needed. In addition, many subgroups could reduce their risk for stroke by consuming the new recommended intake.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 77% of our sodium intake comes from processed foods and foods we consume away from home. Estimates indicate that the current intake of sodium is 3,466 milligrams per day.
CDC goes on to report that five food categories contribute most of the sodium in our diets, these include.
* Grain mixtures, frozen meals, soups
* Ham, bacon, sausage and lunch meats
* Breads
* Meat, poultry and fish mixtures
* Cakes, cookies and crackers
These five groups make up a large part of many peoples eating plan so shifting sodium intake down will require several changes. One simple first step is to include more whole grains,vegetables and fruits in place of many of these processed foods.
Make changes gradually and the process will be easier and likely a change you can maintain.
Learn more about the Dietary Guidelines Committee report by visiting – http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm
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