2.6: Food Guide Research Applications
- Page ID
- 80493
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as the baseline for a healthy food intake. MyPlate was developed to translate the Dietary Guidelines as a meal planning tool. This chapter provides an overview of two evidence-based food plans to emphasize that scientific research does support such meal plans.
Mediterranean Diet
Beginning in the 1960s, a researcher named Ancel Keys studied the diets of seven countries (the US, Japan, Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, and Finland) and found some interesting connections to risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The Mediterranean Diet, based on research more specific to countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, emerged from this original series of studies. The cuisines and risk factors of these countries share some similarities, which have interested researchers in any connections. These countries include Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, Syria, Morocco and Egypt. Over the decades, related research has identified benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, including reduced risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease and certain types of cancers, improved gut health, and benefits for diseases related to inflammation, cognition, and obesity. It is not so much a "diet" as a healthy eating pattern within a healthy lifestyle. The question is, what is the underlying benefit of this style of eating? The Mediterranean diet emphasizes plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. More fish and beans are encouraged, with less meat, dairy, and poultry. Healthy fats, such as nuts, seeds, olives, extra virgin olive oil, and avocados, are suggested rather than highly processed oils and animal fats, including butter and bacon grease. It is not just one food or nutrient that may provide health benefits. An excellent source for Mediterranean-style recipes can be found at Oldways Cultural Food Traditions.
Overall, the Mediterranean Diet is consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and similar to MyPlate.
Guasch-Ferré M, Willett WC. The Mediterranean diet and health: a comprehensive overview.2 J Intern Med. 2021;290(3):549-566. doi:10.1111/joim.13333.
Lari A, Sohouli MH, Fatahi S, et al. The effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on metabolic risk factors in patients with chronic disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2021;31(10):2766-2778. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2021.05.030. Available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34353704/.3
DASH Diet: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
The DASH Diet originated from research by the National Institutes of Health in the 1990s. Since then, additional research has confirmed not only its association with improved blood pressure but also improvements in other heart conditions (heart failure, LDL-cholesterol), diabetes, certain cancers, and obesity. This food pattern emphasizes the intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes, and lower-fat dairy and suggests less red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and sodium.4 An excellent source of DASH Diet recipes can be found at Mayo Clinic's Dash Diet Recipes.5
Overall, the DASH Diet is consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and has similarities to MyPlate.
References
- Lander J. Mediterranean plate. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/8566600@N07/3907822131. Published September 11, 2009. Accessed July 23, 2023.
- Guasch-Ferre M, Willett WC. The Mediterranean diet and health: a comprehensive overview. J Intern Med. 2021;290(3):549-566. doi:10.1111/joim.13333.
- Mediterranean diet. Cleveland Clinic. Updated November 20, 2022. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16037-mediterranean-diet.
- Lari A, Sohouli MH, Fatahi S, et al. The effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on metabolic risk factors in patients with chronic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2021;31(10)L2766-2778. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2021.05.030.
- DASH Diet Recipes. Mayo Clinic. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/dash-diet-recipes/rcs-20077146.