Bend experts weigh in on new U.S. dietary guidelines

It’s that time again: If you didn’t get on the health bandwagon for the new year, you still have a reason to give your diet a makeover. The government on Thursday released its new dietary guidelines for the next five years, and for the first time ever, they are cracking down on sugar.

“When it comes to having a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to pick something that’s sustainable for your whole life, which is what the dietary guidelines emphasized this year,” said Abby Douglas, a registered dietitian at Synergy Health & Wellness.

The guidelines warn Americans to limit their sugar to no more than 10 percent of their daily calories. For an average 200-pound person, that’s about one Coke and a small cookie per day.

The guidelines also suggest people start incorporating more lean protein into their diet, like nuts and fish. They did not address whether or not to eat red meat, which is a concern for many trying to eat healthy.

“if you’re eating steak or beef, your best bet is to by a flank steak verses a tri-tip or something that has a lot of fat added to it,” said trainer and nutritionist Dominic Current.

Current offered some of his tips for staying on track:

“The biggest advice I have is make it a lifestyle, just don’t think you’re just going to exercise. Focus on the nutrition first. You can spend hours in the gym, but if you’re not eating the way you should, you’re just exerting a lot of energy.”

Once you’re eating right and get rid of those sugar cravings, he suggests getting some exercise.

“You have Smith Rock, Pilot Butte, Mt. Bachelor, you’ve got the Deschutes River Trail. You don’t necessarily need to be in the gym to be active. Central Oregon is an endurance mecca,” Current said.

When it comes to getting fit on the High dDsert, the options are limitless.

To view the full guideline visit:
http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/