Most Recent Edition of Dietary Guidelines Mentions Vegetarianism.The Dietary Guidelines for Americans represent a statement of current federal policy on the role of dietary factors in health promotion and disease prevention. The US Departments of Agriculture (USDA USDA, n.pr See United States Department of Agriculture. ) and Health and Human Services Noun 1. Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Department of Health and Human Services, HHS (HHS HHS Department of Health and Human Services. ) issue these guidelines. They were first issued in 1980 and have been revised every five years. The 1995 edition had much information about vegetarianism vegetarianism, theory and practice of eating only fruits and vegetables, thus excluding animal flesh, fish, or fowl and often butter, eggs, and milk. In a strict vegetarian, or vegan, diet (i.e. . The latest edition mentions vegetarianism, but not as extensively. It says, "Vegetarian diets can be consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and meet Recommended Dietary Allowances for nutrients." Calcium sources are listed for those who do not use dairy products and include soy-based beverages with added calcium, tofu prepared with calcium, greens, and fruit juice with added calcium. For the first time, soy-based beverages with added calcium are listed as a food in the Milk Group of the Food Guide Pyramid Food Guide Pyramid n. A food pyramid devised by the US Department of Agriculture in 1992, in which grains and cereals represent the base beneath layers for fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy products, and fats and sweets at the peak. , making the Pyramid more useful for vegans. Vegetarian sources of iron are also listed. The Dietary Guidelines and related information can be downloaded from the USDA's website, located at <http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/>, or through the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, at <http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines>. Printed copies can be purchased by sending a check or money order for $4.75 to Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009. |
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