New US Dietary Guidelines Don’t Significantly Reduce Recommendations on Added Sugars or Alcohol Consumption

Current allowances for sugar and alcohol consumption will remain the same through 2025, according to the new dietary guidelines recently issued by the federal government. Their scientific advisory committee recommended reducing the amount of added sugar from 10% to 6% of daily calories and lowering the number of alcoholic drinks for men from two drinks a day to one, which has been the suggestion for women. The federal government, however, rejected these recommendations.

Citing the rising rate of obesity and subsequent health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer, the committee of 20 academics and doctors recommended cutting added sugars found in processed foods, not including natural sugars found in foods like fruit. The committee also presented research linking greater alcohol consumption to a higher risk of death. Food industry groups and distributors of alcohol pushed back when they learned of the committee’s recommendations and asked that the guidelines remain the same. Ultimately, the US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services decided the evidence was not substantial enough to support the committee’s recommendations on added sugar and alcohol consumption.

Updated every five years, federal government dietary requirements impact communities by shaping school lunch programs, influencing state and local health-promotion efforts, and impacting the food companies produce. The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 advises people to eat a diet of primarily vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meat and poultry, and low-fat dairy, as well as seafood, nuts, and vegetable oils. They also suggest limiting added sugars, saturated fats, sodium, and alcoholic drinks, and staying within recommended calorie limits. For the first time, the guidelines state that children under two years old should consume no added sugars.