Current Grain Consumption Issues from a Research

Perspective

Lisa Harnack, DrPH, RD

Associate Professor

Division of Epidemiology

University of Minnesota

Issue # 1 Current dietary recommendations favor

consumption of grains, future recommendations will likely

place greater focus on quality and quantity

Price

Availability

Convenience

Nutrition/ Health

Taste

Promotion/ advertising

Price

Availability

Convenience

Nutrition/ Health

Taste

Promotion/ advertising

Let the Pyramid guide your food choices

Choose a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains

Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables daily Keep food safe to eat

Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat

Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars

Choose and prepare foods with less salt If you drink alcoholic beverages,

do so in moderation

Future dietary recommendations related to grains and grain-based

products

2005 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

• Consume a variety of foods within and among the basic food groups while staying within energy needs

• Control calorie intake to manage body weight

• Be physically active everyday

• Increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat milk and milk products

• Choose fats wisely for good health

• Choose carbohydrates wisely for good health

• Choose and prepare foods with little salt

• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation

• Keep food safe to eat

2005 Food Guide Pyramid (?)

• Simplified graphical image and possible addition of logo

• Communicate guidance through multiple channels and materials

• Greater focus on food pattern needs of individuals based on age, sex, and activity level to promote calorie balance

• Maximum amount of discretionary calories and solid fats will be provided by calorie level

Issue #2 Non-governmental dietary ‘recommendations’ are

reaching the public and influencing grain consumption

Trends in age-adjusted mean intake of macronutrients, males 25-74 years, MHS

39.3 38.335.2

30.7 32.4

42.1 44.147.6

52.249.9

15.6 15.6 15.7 15.915.8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1980-82 1985-87 1990-92 1995-97 2000-02

% kcals

FatCarbohydrateProtein

Issue #3: Strategies for abating the obesity epidemic may have

major implications for grain consumption

Diet-related solutions to the obesity epidemic

Modified diets: Low-fat, low-carbohydrate, high nutrient density diet, etc.

EAT LESS Behavioral interventions- self-monitoring

(self weighing, calorie counting) Environmental changes: Modify food

availability, portion sizes, pricing, promotion, etc.