CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW)) — An emphasis on dairy and protein headline the new federal nutrition guidelines.
Sharon Donovan, a nutritional sciences professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, says a big piece of her advice is to eat a variety of foods.
“Anytime anybody cuts out a food group – whether it be meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables – you’re going to miss out on some nutrients, because oranges are a great source of Vitamin C. Meat really doesn’t have any Vitamin C. Dairy doesn’t have any Vitamin C. Meat is a good source of iron and zinc and (Vitamin) B-12. You don’t find those in fruits and vegetables.”
Donovan was on the committee which recommended the 2020 guidelines and says the current guidelines reflect not even 25 percent of the current committee’s recommendations.
And before you tear up your family’s weekly menu, Donovan says to check with your doctor before making big changes to your diet, and remember the guidelines are for the general public as opposed to just one person.
