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Community Info Health News
 How To Reach Us: St. Louis Front Page Community News P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 http://www.slfp.com Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com  |
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 Breakfast Is Key to Health ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire), January 12, 2005 - The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, announced today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services, highlight the alarming under-consumption of essential nutrients like fiber and potassium and recommend people increase their intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. To consume the recommended three servings of whole grains and two cups of fruit, experts suggest consumers look to breakfast as a key to meeting the new recommendations. "For many, breakfast is a missed opportunity with almost one-third of Americans skipping breakfast every morning*," said Phil Lempert, "Supermarket Guru" and food trends expert. "Breakfast doesn't have to be challenging -- it can be as simple as a bowl of Old Fashioned Quaker Oatmeal topped with blueberries and a glass of Tropicana orange juice to get two servings of whole grains and 1.5 cups of fruit." The benefits of breakfast are well documented. Research shows that people who tend to eat a balanced breakfast weigh less than those who tend to skip it. According to the American Dietetic Association's Guide to Healthy Eating for Kids, children who eat breakfast are more likely to meet their daily nutritional needs, keep their weight under control, have lower blood cholesterol levels and attend school more frequently. Whole Grains Whole grains are highly recommended in the Guidelines because the Guidelines link diets rich in whole grains to reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes, and help with weight management. In spite of these important benefits, government surveys have shown that fewer than one in 10 people consume the recommended amount of whole grains. Oatmeal is the only whole grain food recognized by the FDA to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Oatmeal can also aid in maintaining a healthy weight as part of a diet rich in fiber. All Quaker Oatmeal -- Old-fashioned and Instant -- are whole-grain foods and provide proven health benefits. "We consider Quaker Oatmeal to be the original whole grain cereal because Americans have been enjoying it for more than 125 years," said Mark Andon, Ph.D., Nutrition Fellow for Quaker Oats. Fruits & Vegetables Eating fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer, heart disease, hypertension and stroke. The new Guidelines suggest that Americans consume two cups of fruit per day**. Currently, about half of Americans consume only three-quarters of a cup of fruit per day on average. Fruits and fruit juices are important sources of nutrients of concern in the diet, including potassium and vitamin C. Only about half of U.S. adults consume adequate levels of vitamin C. No single age group currently gets the recommended amount of potassium. Potassium is important because it may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Drinking a glass of Tropicana orange juice daily provides a full day's amount of vitamin C and is a good source of potassium (13% DV) and folate (15% DV). Pasteurized, 100-percent orange juice is an affordable source of vitamin C, folate and potassium, and even calcium in fortified juices. "Making the right food choice is about choosing the right quality, not just the right quantity," said Alan Greene, M.D., a practicing pediatrician, father of four and Board Member of the Organic Center for Education and Promotion. "The new U.S. food guidelines emphasize making careful selections within each food category, such as whole grains or lowfat milk." Given the challenges of getting Americans to consume the calcium they need, Dr. Greene supports the recommended daily dairy allowance (which remains at three servings per day) though he notes that other healthy calcium sources are available for families who do not choose dairy. According to the USDA, about 30% of kids ages 1-5 don't get the recommended amount of calcium in their diets. And it gets worse as they get older:
As for fat intake, Dr. Greene encourages parents to consider choosing a reduced or non-fat milk option for children over age three who drink milk. Under age three, the brain is growing very rapidly, and children of this age depend on fat intake for the proper development of their brains and other organs. The general rule of thumb has been whole milk from age one to two, two-percent milk from age two to three, and even less fat thereafter. This makes sense for kids eating a healthy diet. But many of today's toddlers get too many unhealthy fats from other sources. Dr. Greene encourages parents to work with their pediatricians or health care providers to tailor the food recommendations to their children's needs. Nutrition is one of the most important things you can bring up at well-child visits. Archived Stories: Electronic Product Codes to Be Used to Fight Counterfeit Drugs  The SLFP.com - Community Info is presented in conjunction with the St. Louis Front Page and Southwest Illinois News. The sites are owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group . |
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