From a paleo to a ketogenic diet, you have probably heard thousands of reasons why a certain diet is the best. The ones that get the most attention are usually the ones that have scientific evidence backing up claims regarding health improvements.
Health Canada has finally joined the movement, having realized that it is time for a change in the national food guide. It has been 10 years since the guide was last updated and many things have changed throughout the years. For one, major research conducted in food science and other related fields show us that some of the things we thought we knew about food aren’t necessarily true.
According to the 2007 food guide, you may have assumed that consuming any fatty foods is bad for your health. Now, thanks to the revisions in the new guide, it is clearer for everyday Canadians to understand that there are two types of fats that can be consumed — saturated and unsaturated.
Saturated fats are predominantly found in red meat and poultry while certain plants and fish are rich in unsaturated fats.
The new food guide advises that the amount of saturated fat intake is reduced and replaced with the consumption of the unsaturated type, potentially decreasing the chances of being affected with cardiovascular diseases, as indicated in Health Canada’s Evidence Review for Dietary Guidance.
In addition to the facts brought forward regarding fats, major concerns are also pointed out about sugar intake. Though it has been known for years that excessive consumption of sugar is not the best for optimal health, now, Health Canada’s Evidence Review confirms that high sugar intake is correlated with, if not directly causing obesity in the population, especially in children.
When we think about sugar intake, only direct sources of it come to mind – candy bars, sodas, and sugar cubes. The Evidence Review also tells us that basic sugar is found in all carbohydrates, which are the main components of the “grain products” section of the current food guide. The revised guide will use this information and cut back on those servings, advising that only a healthy amount should be consumed.
The new food guide is planned to come into effect as of early 2018. There is still work to be done, but this may prove to be the most efficient, relevant, and scientifically accurate food guide since its initial launch in 1942.
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