Newswise — Marian Neuhouser, Ph.D., R.D., a nutritional epidemiologist and member of the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is available to discuss the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture.

Neuhouser participated on the prestigious expert scientific committee that issued the report upon which the new guidelines are based.

The recommendations issued by the 14-member Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which convenes every five years, were based on published scientific evidence regarding whole diets rather than individual, isolated foods.

Data suggest an overall dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein (fish, lean meats, legumes), low-fat dairy and whole grains reduces the risk of major chronic diseases, including some cancers, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Such an eating pattern also helps people achieve a healthy body weight. These healthy dietary patterns can be customized to meet individual taste and cultural preferences as well as budget.

For the first time, a quantitative limit on added sugars is being recommended – no more than 10 percent of total calories.

In terms of American eating habits, the committee found most people still consume too much sodium, added sugars and refined grains. “Progress needs to be made in terms of reducing these components of the diet in order to improve the health of the population as a whole,” Neuhouser said.

“We need to make efforts to help people have access to healthy, affordable foods in all population sectors and at the level of the individual family, the community, schools, the workplace and larger society.”

For Neuhouser’s simple tips on healthy eating, please see this Fred Hutch News Service article.