Anne Heausler cut back on sugar about six months ago. "I lost about 20 pounds without trying." New federal dietary guidelines are getting strict about sugar. For the first time the guidelines limit added sugar to no more than 10-percent of daily calories. "We know that about half of the added sugars in people's diets comes from sweetened beverages, usually sodas," explains Dr. Karen DeSalvo, the Acting Assistant Secretary of Health in the U.S.
The updated recommendations also remove the limit on dietary cholesterol. It had been no more than 300 milligrams a day, which is about two eggs. The panel made the change after studies showed there wasn't a clear connection between eating foods high in cholesterol and the amount of bad cholesterol that ends up in the blood. Nutritionists believe eggs are an excellent source of protein with about seven grams in a 70 calorie egg. However, the report says teenage boys and men eat too much protein and should cut back on eggs, meat and poultry. Instead, nutritionists suggest they eat more fruits and vegetables.
There is good news for coffee lovers. The guidelines say three to five small cups a day are healthy as long as you don't add the sugar, flavorings or toppings. The report also recommends limiting saturated fats to no more than 10-percent of daily calories. As for sodium, the report recommends eating the equivalent of just one teaspoon of salt a day.
You can read the entire report for yourself at www.health.gov.
