New U.S. Dietary Guidelines Call for Dramatic Reduction in Salt Intake

Eat less salt and more whole grains, vegetables and fruits is the new mandate set by the federal government.

The United States Department of Agriculture announced the new dietary guidelines today during a press conference at George Washington University that are designed, in part, to help address the growing obesity crisis in America.

“The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are being released at a time when the majority of adults and one-in-three children is overweight or obese, and this is a crisis that we can no longer ignore,” said Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services, in a statement announcing the new guidelines. “These new and improved dietary recommendations give individuals the information to make thoughtful choices of healthier foods in the right portions and to complement those choices with physical activity.”

The new guidelines, which apply to adults and children older than 2, encourage Americans to dramatically reduce their daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams, dropping it from the current 3,400.

The guidelines include “concrete steps that every family can take to incorporate into their everyday lives,” Sebelius said. These steps include eating less sodium, sugar and saturated fats.

To reduce sodium intake, Americans are encourged to:

— Read nutrition labels closely and buy items labeled low in sodium.

— Use little or no salt when cooking or eating.

— Consume more fresh or home-prepared foods and fewer processed foods, so they know exactly what they are eating.

— Ask that salt not be added to foods at restaurants.

— Gradually reduce sodium intake over time to get used to the taste.

The guidelines also encourage Americans to eat more fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, and discourages against a diet heavy in processed foods and high-fat meats.

From That’s Fit: What the New Guidelines Mean for You

Sebelius said that most Americans need to trim their waistlines to decrease their risk of developing chronic, weight-related diseases. “Improving our eating habits is not only good for every individual and family, but also for our country,” Sebelius concluded.

“What we announce today is based deeply and steeply in science,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Vilsack admitted during a news conference he had never read the guidelines until he started working on this project, and now he and his wife are living a healthier lifestyle based on new information provided by the guidelines.

More on Healthy Eating

“We want to make sure that folks understand that eating real food as opposed to fortified dietary supplements is the best use of your calories,” said Vilsack.

“We also need to pay attention to what impacts everyone’s health,” added Sebelius. She went on to say that what Americans eat affects obesity, cancers and other health factors.

“There also is a very exciting set of programs going on around the country,” said Sebelius, adding that the WIC program for low-income families has now expanded so women and children can purchase fruit and vegetables at discount prices. She said some states are subsidizing fruit and vegetables in dollar stores and even implementing programs where fruits and vegetables are delivered door to door.

“Part of it is access and part of it is pricing, and I think both of them are being addressed as we move forward,” said Sebelius.

Dr. Michael Kaplan, chief medical officer at The Center for Medical Weight Loss in Tarrytown, N.Y., is optimistic about the new guidelines. “The government has to do more for inner city or lower economic groups,” he told AOL Health. Kaplan believes the USDA is on the right track.

“Obesity is killing America,” he said. “It is adding so much to overall health care costs.”

Kaplan believes that American adults, including parents, teachers and other role models, need to lead by example. He encourages Americans to set a good example for children. “Kids, like adults, learn by seeing,” Kaplan explains. “If we tell our kids to eat healthy, but then serve them unhealthy choices, then that’s what they’re learning.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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