Science, Nutrition and the Government

[volinbham]

Thought this article was interesting. Not sure if it's cherry picking science or is pretty accurate. Either way, I think it raises some interesting questions about the role of the government in controlling diets.

Seems that since we've had government intervention, the nation's nutritional health has worsened. May or may not be a link but it's something to think about.

The other issue this raises for me is the "inertia" of government intervention. Once a common belief is in place the reaction seems to be to deny contrary evidence rather than adapt the view.

At a minimum, the big carb bottom of the Food Pyramid probably wasn't the best advice.

RealClearMarkets - Federal Food Police Against Business and Science

 

[milohimself]

It seems like cherry picking... Clinical studies can come up with all sorts of results, but the idea that reduced sodium intake is still good. One thing that could be considered is that some people take it too far -- sodium is a critical mineral in terms of water retention.

When left to our own devices, we are all made to crave sweet, salty and fatty. They were once upon a time vital and hard to come by. Now they, along with other refined carbs like white bread, are overly available. There's something to be said for somebody's diet in terms of what it consists of and the volume in which they eat, and the two are directly related.

Just remember that you can't attack this broad issue with just one subject, otherwise you won't be seeing the forest for the trees. The big carb part at the bottom of the food pyramid wasn't necessarily wrong; it was more that people figured refined carbs would count.

 

[volinbham]

It seems like cherry picking... Clinical studies can come up with all sorts of results, but the idea that reduced sodium intake is still good. One thing that could be considered is that some people take it too far -- sodium is a critical mineral in terms of water retention.

When left to our own devices, we are all made to crave sweet, salty and fatty. They were once upon a time vital and hard to come by. Now they, along with other refined carbs like white bread, are overly available. There's something to be said for somebody's diet in terms of what it consists of and the volume in which they eat, and the two are directly related.

Just remember that you can't attack this broad issue with just one subject, otherwise you won't be seeing the forest for the trees. The big carb part at the bottom of the food pyramid wasn't necessarily wrong; it was more that people figured refined carbs would count.

The single study on less sodium being bad may be an anomaly but taken as a whole the sodium issue is blurry.

How long ago was sweet, salty and fatty hard to come by?

Also, the FP initially just recommended eating lots of breads/grains. It's been more recent that whole grain is the essential and many nutritionists would argue that even with whole grains that is too much carb in the diet - particularly if weight management is the goal.


I also find the "left to our own devices" mentality a bit Big Brother

 

[milohimself]

I didn't mean to sound big-brothery, just commenting on the way humans are built in general and what we crave when we eat.

I think the government is perfectly within its bounds providing general guidelines for what people should eat, but it should also be flexible with what the best available science says.

Quantity and prepackaged or fast foods are doing us in. People will take the path of least resistance, and for nearly all of us, the unhealthy option is the easier, cheaper option.

That said, on to specific issues, the food pyramid was also created when sedentary lifestyle wasn't so much of an issue. You need lots of carbs if you are going to burn them. I work out nearly every day and have a highly physically demanding job, so I eat a lot in general, but particularly carbs during and protein at night.

The reality is that there isn't a one size fits all diet plan.

Do I take issue with what the governments dietary guidelines are and how they're built? Yes. But I also think that it can and should be changed to be more effective.

 

[lawgator1]

Thought this article was interesting. Not sure if it's cherry picking science or is pretty accurate. Either way, I think it raises some interesting questions about the role of the government in controlling diets.

Seems that since we've had government intervention, the nation's nutritional health has worsened. May or may not be a link but it's something to think about.

The other issue this raises for me is the "inertia" of government intervention. Once a common belief is in place the reaction seems to be to deny contrary evidence rather than adapt the view.

At a minimum, the big carb bottom of the Food Pyramid probably wasn't the best advice.

RealClearMarkets - Federal Food Police Against Business and Science

causation vs. correlation, imo

 

[lumberjack4]

I thought the automobile was making us fat? Its something else every week I guess.

 

[milohimself]

I thought the automobile was making us fat? Its something else every week I guess.

Well, the facts are undeniable that we are a nation of fatasses well on the way to having insulin vending machines on every street corner. Why? There are volumes of reasons. Choose your favorite.