US FDA Calorie and Sodium Initiatives: Steps Ahead

December 28, 2013 | calories, nutrition, sodium

Agree or disagree with US government food and nutrition regulations, the US FDA is making news.

The US FDA recently released its Strategic Plan 2012-2016 with Key Initiatives for calories, sodium, gluten-free and trans fats:

  • Update the nutrition facts panel on food and beverage labels, with greater prominence given to calorie declarations
  • Reduce sodium content in the food supply
  • Improve consumer access to and use of nutrition information
  • Announce final rule defining and permitting use of gluten-free in food labeling
  • Reduce industrially-produced trans fats in the food supply

Here’s my take on calories and sodium. Look for gluten-free and trans fats in my next FitFoodWays.

Calorie Cut Back

Scale with fruit (© Michael Flippo - Fotolia.com)If cutting back calories were easy, we’d be a slim nation. It takes an army to produce, protect and police every bite. As the US FDA advances calorie declarations on food labels and the food industry slims down portion sizes, we need to do our share.

Check out my handy portion tips, 100 calorie mouthfuls and shopping for singles in resources to help your efforts.

Using smaller plates works, too. Check out the breakdown of a healthy plate at http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ Just don’t pile portions too high or too far out!

serving portion diagram

Sodium Shake Down

salt shakerLike calorie cut back, sodium shake down requires US government, food industry and consumer teamwork.

The US FDA initiative to reduce sodium aims to decrease hypertension and lower skyrocketing healthcare costs.  The food industry is tackling sodium reduction through sodium substitutes and flavor enhancers.

Consumers need to do their fair share by reducing sodium in their diet, cooking and at the table.

Here’s how:

  • Look at the recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) report at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/VitalSigns/Sodium/ on the top ten foods responsible for 44% of the sodium in the US diet:Breads, rolls, luncheon meats (deli ham, turkey), pizza, prepared poultry, soups, cheeseburgers and other sandwiches, cheese, pasta dishes, meat dishes and snack foods (chips, pretzels, popcorn)
  • Try out sodium shake down in resources
  • Know that less sodium and fewer calories meet the 2010 US Dietary Guidelines and can still taste good too!

FitFoodWays—Good for You and Delicious Too!

Until our next FitFoodWays…

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