America's focus on nutritious eating began to receive national attention in the 1940s when President Roosevelt introduced the RDA, or Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) model. This model, which took on the shape of a pyramid in the 1980s (and hence now goes by the term "food pyramid"), has gone through a number of iterations since its inception more than 60 years ago[i].
This change and evolution of the RDA model is, in many respects, a positive step. It demonstrates that, just as America's information on diet and nutrition is advancing, so too are the models that guide its eating habits. In fact, the USDA itself has decided to update the term and now refers to "RDI's" ("Reference Daily Intake") instead of RDA's.
However, undermining some of this positive change is the fact that many Americans are increasingly confused over what, how, and when to eat. A survey conducted by the USDA in 1996 verified this fact when 40% of respondents agreed strongly with the statement that "there are so many recommendations about healthy ways to eat, it's hard to know what to believe"[ii].
One of the most serious expressions of this growing dietary confusion has to do with a concept called the Daily Value, or "DV". Introduced by the USDA in the 1990s, the DV is a dietary numerical reference that is supposed to allow people to make healthy eating choices[iii].
The philosophical idea behind the DV, which is expressed as a percentage, is that it provides a very important piece of information. The DV informs consumers how much of a nutrient they are getting from a particular food item. For example, if the DV label on a can of beans declares that it represents "10% of the DV for fat", then consumers can keep track of that number to know if, throughout the day, how much fat they are eating[1].
However, one does not have to be a mathematician or a dietician to see that the above idea begs a significant question: is this10% of the DV for fat "good" or is it "bad"? In other words, should a consumer choose this source of fat because it represents a good source of fat, or avoid it for the opposite reason?
It is this question that has caused so much confusion among health-conscious consumers. It has caused particular anxiety among those who are wisely ensuring that they eat the recommended daily allowance for protein.
The importance of protein in diet cannot be understated. It is not simply an essential macronutrient for athletes, such as bodybuilders and runners. Protein is critical for life itself, regardless of mobility or athleticism. Among other essential functions, protein maintains and repairs muscle tissue, aids digestion, regulates chemicals, manages hormones, and produces enzymes[iv]. In extreme cases, a dangerous lack of protein actually leads to a condition called Kwashiorkor, where the body cannibalizes itself[2].
Trying to determine the right amount of protein ? as expressed in terms of DV% -- has been a difficult challenge for most eaters. Unfortunately, as a result of this confusion, some consumers have not been eating high quality protein. This is because the DV number is simply not enough information upon which they can make healthy protein eating decisions.
The missing number in the DV equation is the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) level. The RDI for protein is, generally, 50 grams per day. Consumers can take the number of total grams of protein in a product, and divide it by this RDI for protein to determine what the "optimum" DV number should be.
For example, if a product offers 25 grams of protein, and the RDI is 50 grams per day, then the product's "optimum" DV will be 50%. Therefore, the figure "50%" should appear on the product's labeling. If the number is lower than 50%, the consumers instantly know that it is not an optimum source of protein.
Finding high quality sources for essential micronutrients like protein (among others) is a challenge that should not be difficult, but it is, because some food makers do not want to educate consumers on how to detect high quality from low quality. This is particularly unfortunate in the health and nutrition food industry, where one would expect manufacturers strive for high quality nutrition. Regrettably, this is not always the case.
However, that is not reason to despair. Rather, it just as much reason to support companies that are making the effort to ensure that their products reflect only high quality DV levels, and a concurrent effort to educate the public on how to determine optimum DV.
About Protica
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com.
[1] The FDA is clear that the DV concept is not intended to direct people on how much they should eat. In this example, the eater should not conclude that eating 10 cans of beans will achieve "100% of the recommended fat intake per day". The DV is intended as a reference number only and not as a recommendation. The intake per day is suggested by the RDA/RDI, which will be discussed further in this article.
[2] Kwashiorkor is more prevalent in some parts of the developing world, but incidences have been reported in the US.
References
[i] Source: "Food Pyramid History". http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall02/Greene/history.htm
[ii] Source: America's Eating Habits: Changes and Consequences. USDA. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aib750/
[iii] Source "Daily Values Encourage Healthy Eating". FDA. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/special/foodlabel/dvs.html
[iv] Source: "The Importance of Protein". OhioHealth. http://www.ohiohealth.com/facilities/mcconnell/weightmanage/details/protein.htm
Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..When I hear the word fat I usually think of... Read More
When it comes to the topic of sports nutrition there... Read More
You would probably think that I was writing a lot... Read More
For most people, the concept of capsulized food? usually conjures... Read More
Fibromyalgia is a chronic and potentially life-altering disorder with symptoms... Read More
Mineral nutritionSearching for mineral nutrition information is much easier today... Read More
Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily... Read More
Beans. Legumes. Pulses. Whatever you call this plant group, they... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
Nutrition is extremely important for any young person, especially an... Read More
The key to better health is learning the difference between... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
It is not a myth. Eating breakfast is an important... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
Coconut oil is less known compare to olive oil, corn... Read More
Who suffers from Eating Disorders?Eating Disorder sufferers are male and... Read More
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More
My name is Mildred Shears. I'm retired and I live... Read More
Our diet is an essential factor for the formation of... Read More
Factory FarmingThe big names in American agriculture would like you... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More
Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Over... Read More
after renovation cleaning Bannockburn ..You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
Just as our country is currently engaged in a war... Read More
The adrenal or "stress glands" are small, triangular shaped glands... Read More
In health circles there has been much recent talk about... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
Nutrition usually only comes up when people are finally deciding... Read More
Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet isBasically, in order to... Read More
There are so many topics to discuss which affect our... Read More
In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
Unhealthy eating is a harmful problem in America, and contrary... Read More
Coke, more commonly known as cocaine is a highly addictive... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
According to the Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis... Read More
Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
Get back to the basics - eat fresh at home... Read More
Health is the thing. And no matter how many ways... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
NutrientsFat, Sugar, Sodium and CarbohydrateThe sections on a food label... Read More
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More
Sugar intake is a real concern for people who've had... Read More
What if I told you tap water and homogenized milk... Read More
Most of us equate the word diet with calorie reduction.... Read More
Nutrition |