The Obama Administration recently presented data linking excessive, added, or otherwise unnatural salts and sugars as continued dietary-hazards. Experts say such unnatural consumption of salts and sugars are the key culprit in many cases of diabetes, heart disease, and other common illnesses.
After backlash towards the end of 2015 for the Obama administration and health experts efforts to emphasize and motivate Americans to avoid more red or lean meats, the meat industry and republican party ‘bit back’ against the administration and made claims of retaliation or otherwise misrepresenting information or likelihood of health hazards involving such dietary choices.
Added Salts and Sugars a Focus
According to the Department of Public Health, as well as continued research conducted by health experts; Americans are still consuming upwards of double to triple the amount of recommended salts and sugars daily—not to mention their seemingly ‘stubborn’ continued desire to consume sugary—such as soda—drinks.
According to experts, no more than 200 calories—typically a 16oz drink— of sugar per day should be consumed per diet and nutrition guidelines, reducing unwanted and unnatural sugars and salts—spiking glucose and hazardously exposing the body to unbalanced levels of sodium.
Statistically speaking, more than half of Americans, specifically males, between the ages of 14 to 70 are at an increased risk for heart disease and diabetes due to poor dieting, nutrition, and fitness. Research has found that Americans easily surpass the 3,000 milligrams limit of sodium per day–which is not only unnatural but also causes spikes of sodium in the blood which in turn can negatively impact the hearts main functions.
Keeping it Simple
As continued research and data is presented to the public annually, both through the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, consumers tend to get confused. That is, as each year the information presented along with recommendations appear to vary in nature—and even at times may appear self-contradictory.
Following a healthier diet and nutrition plan is shown to substantially reduce not only the likelihood of disease and illnesses, but more specifically obesity—in which the two happen to be linked to one another.
Health experts and practitioners alike continue to point to the necessity of daily adherence to dietary guidelines that include essential fruits and vegetables—which give your body the much needed vitamins and nutrients it needs. Not enough people are consuming their daily nutrients, let alone fresh vegetables and fruits—and are therefore facing the repercussions of such dietary decision-making.
While lean and red meat have recently been in the limelight for negatively impacting the blood, heart, and raising cholesterol—likewise there has been a stronger focus on unwanted calories and fats that Americans are consuming regularly through unwanted and unhealthy snacks, such as potato chips and candy.
In fact, as research in the past has pointed to lean meat and eggs being a problem, the government along with health advisors are now arguably making an effort to shift their focus, claims, and advice towards getting consumers back on a more ‘practical’ dietary routine, similarly reflective to the arguably ‘archaic’, yet credible and internationally recognized dietary recommendations system known by many as the”Food Pyramid”.
Image credit: Nikki Zalewski