2005-01-14
CHICAGO, January 14, 2005 -- According to Chicago’s most popular
Nutrition Counselor, Bonnie Minsky, while a few very positive changes (reducing refined carbohydrates, consuming less sodium, consuming more fruits
and vegetables, avoiding trans-fats, meeting crucial vitamin/mineral requirements, and promoting more exercise) were recommended, the Dietary
Guidelines for 2005 still reek of political and financial motivation.
The Department of Health and Human Services created the 2005 Dietary
Guidelines based upon the recommendations of a handpicked expert panel. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, of the thirteen
selected committee members, seven have or had financial relationships with industry groups such as the Sugar Association, National Dairy Council, and
Procter & Gamble. While the government should be commended for suggesting increased consumption of whole grains and reduced amount of refined
grain consumption, they single out whole wheat everywhere in their literature as the whole grain example. Is it coincidence that the committee
chairwoman was nominated by the Wheat Foods Council? In addition, the Dietary Guidelines increased the amount of suggested dairy servings daily.
Coincidence? Minsky thinks not.
Others in the food industry echo Minsky’s opinion. “As an issue,
there’s few that’s bigger,” said Gene Grabowski, a former vice president of the Grocery Manufacturers of America. “Every aisle of the
supermarket has a lobbyist in town,” says food-industry consultant Jeff Nedelman. Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies, and public
health at New York University says “creating dietary guidelines is political – from start to finish. It’s science politics. It’s politics
politics. It’s corporate politics.”
Commenting on the specifics of the Dietary Guideline’s
1600-calorie adult weight loss plan, Minsky believes that most of her clients would gain weight consuming the equivalent of 13 carbohydrate servings
daily (six grain, 3-4 vegetable, and four fruit).
According to Minsky, lowering recommendations of essential oils and
meat/poultry/fish as the government guidelines recommend, may cause blood sugar imbalances, energy lows, and inability to repair cell damage. With
copious evidence-based research for the benefits olive oil and fish, it is essential to get some of each daily. Is it a coincidence that not one
individual sitting on the committee was represented by the fish or essential oil groups.
On the heels of the Dietary Guidelines, the new Food Pyramid will be
released shortly. If it is more of the same, as Minsky suspects, it will create more, not less, obesity in the United States. Thus, Minsky has created
an alternative, entitled Circle of Health Food Chart. Scaled to an average
dinner plate, Minsky feels it exhibits exactly what is required to maintain normal weight, and most importantly, optimal health. In addition, the Circle of Health plan encompasses a simple how-to, in which every version of the
Dietary Guidelines has failed to accomplish. Circle of Health can be
viewed at nutritionalconcepts.com.
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Contact:
Carolyn Martinelli 847-509-1336
caremartinelli@aol.com