Medical organization calls for changes to food groups

AORN Journal, Dec, 2002

A growing body of evidence shows that a vegetarian diet rich in whole grains offers the most disease protection of any dietary pattern, according to a Sept 10, 2002, news release from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). Nutritionists from the organization are asking the government to revise the food pyramid based on this evidence.

The PCRM has sent the following recommendations to the US Department of Agriculture's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

* Delete the milk, yogurt, and cheese group. This recommendation is based on the lack of scientific consensus regarding the benefit of dairy consumption and the fact that no other food group focuses on a specific nutrient (eg, calcium). In addition, recent studies have linked dairy product intake to an increased risk of prostate cancer. New research also contradicts the long-standing belief that dairy product consumption protects against bone loss.

* Emphasize plant sources of protein. To emphasize healthy protein choices, PCRM recommends renaming the meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts group the beans, nuts, eggs, and meat group. Cholesterol-free nuts and beans have been shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, and a diet low in or free of animal products helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis, kidney stones, and colon cancer.

* Promote whole grains. Americans do not eat enough fiber, so PCRM is asking that the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group be renamed the whole-grain foods group. People can increase their fiber intake by switching from refined grains to whole grains and lower their risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.

Food Guide Pyramid Needs Makeover, Say Nutritionists: Group Recommends More Whole-Grain Foods, Less Emphasis on Meat, and Removal of Milk Category (news release, Washington, DC: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Sept 10, 2002) hllp:/www.pcrm .org/news/health020910.html (accessed 21 Oct 2002).