By MacKenzie Reagan
Earlier this month, the U.S. departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services released their new dietary guidelines, which are updated each year “based on the preponderance of current scientific and medical knowledge,” according to health.gov.
The departments changed their stance on cholesterol. The old guidelines dictated no more than 300 mg per day (one large egg has around 200 mg); the new guidelines removed the limit. Another surprise? Despite recent studies suggesting a link between red meat and cancer, the new rules don’t call for an outright reduction in beef consumption but rather for consuming a wide range of proteins, including beef, poultry, fish and nuts. The list also recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium (about a teaspoon of salt) and less than 10 percent of daily calories from sugar. While the guidelines stress “healthy” fats, like the omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts and fish, they limit saturated fats to no more than 10 percent of daily calories.
The new suggestions also recommend adequate exercise in tandem with a healthy diet. Check out our list of fitness apps to get you moving.
