With all the mixed messages circulating about nutrition, many Americans have
struggled for years about what they should or should not be eating. In response,
the Pork Checkoff continues to connect with key influencers to help consumers
continue down the right track towards optimal health and wellness.
We recently attended the American Heart Associations Industry Nutrition
Advisory Panel meeting to meet with various health professionals, commodity
groups and major food companies to discuss diet and nutrition trends, says
Adria Sheil-Brown, manager of nutrition communication and research for the Pork
Checkoff. It was a very good conference that allowed everyone involved to keep
up with current nutrition research.
An important item relevant to the pork industry is the proposed revision of the
Dietary Guidelines 2010, in particular sodium content. The current sodium
recommendation is 2,300 milligrams, or about 1 teaspoon per day. This
recommendation will likely drop to 1,500 milligrams, which is a little less than
three-fourths of a teaspoon of sodium per day, says Sheil-Brown, who notes that
Americans currently consume two to three times more sodium than the recommended
daily level.
The good news is that fresh pork is naturally low in sodium, she adds.
To promote porks role in a healthy diet, the Pork Checkoff has also distributed
a new Pork and Health e-newsletter this spring geared toward dietitians and
other health professionals who are helping their clients stick to their New
Years resolutions.
Now is the perfect time to update the importance of incorporating lean protein,
like pork, into a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, notes the e-newsletter. With
tough economical times still looming, it is imperative your clients understand
how to maximize nutrients while minimizing cost.
According to the Affordable Meals Survey conducted by the National Pork Board,
70 percent of Americans say they are eating out less to save money. Similarly,
64 percent say they plan to look for low-cost meal options.
By steering your clients toward low-cost, nutrient-rich foods, you will help
ensure they do not let their calorie budgets overflow or leave their wallets
empty, states the e-newsletter, which also includes tips and recipes on how to
incorporate pork into quick, tasty meals, from Brazilian Pork Salad with
Tangerine Vinaigrette to Pork Tenderloin Fajitas.
The e-newsletter also directs readers to find more lean, flavorful recipes that
do not break the bank at the Pork Checkoffs PorkandHealth.org site, along with
the basics of pork cooking at TheOtherWhiteMeat.com.
We continue to look for new ways to remain a credible, trusted resource on
health and nutrition information for all things pork, says Sheil-Brown.
Source:
National Pork Board