A growing number of health care professionals recognize that the old advice on a low-fat, high-carb diet has been an embarrassing mistake. Here’s another one, chief physician Ulf Rosenqvist, Medical Specialist Clinic, Motala, Sweden. Here’s a quote:
It’s confusing when suddenly the truth no longer holds. It’s been taken as dogmatic faith that one should eat according to the MyPlate Guidelines. All health care professionals have been indoctrinated in this…
Now it’s time for forget the Swedish version of the MyPlate guidelines (very similar to the current US version) and aim for richer foods again, he says.
The Food Revolution is on a roll! Here’s the full article translated into English:
Chief Physician: Forget About the MyPlate Guidelines
It’s confusing when suddenly the truth no longer holds. It’s been taken as dogmatic faith that one should eat according to the plate model. All health care professionals have been indoctrinated in this, says Ulf Rosenqvist, chief physician at the Medical Specialist Clinic, Motala, Sweden.
His view is that it became like a holy mantra from various health authorities that it’s healthful to eat carbohydrates, but that fat is unhealthful. New findings put science on its head.
- We have to learn that fat is not the enemy and that we ourselves have to change, says Ulf Rosenqvist.
At the same time he underscores that there are no studies on how saturated fats affect us long term.
- The safest bet so far, is the richer Mediterranean diet with oily fish, nuts and olive oil, where mortality rates are lower than in people who eat a low-fat Mediterranean diet.
He says that the health care system didn’t keep up with educating health care professionals on the subject, and that it becomes confusing when professors appear in media, disagreeing among themselves on what is right or wrong.
- Health care workers don’t know what to believe. The recent SBU (The Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment) report provides a good foundation and our current truth.
Basal Insulin Important
He of course is positive about the fact that there are diabetics who have successfully discontinued taking insulin as a consequence of a diet change. At the same time he makes it clear that this can only happen in patients with diabetes type 2. Those with diabetes type 1 can never completely discontinue taking insulin, as their bodies don’t produce any insulin.
- Then blood sugar levels could soar, and this could be incredibly dangerous. You have to have a basal insulin level, says Ulf Rosenqvist.
What do you think diabetes care will look like in the future?
- We’ll focus on a richer Mediterranean diet – forget about the MyPlate guidelines.
Diet, Exercise and Medication
According to Hannah Helgegren, dietitian and member of the Diabetes Association, a diabetes diagnosis rests on three legs. Diet, exercise and medication. All three pieces are equally important. She knows because she herself has diabetes.
Hanna Helgegren thinks that patients have to take a major responsibility for their own care, but they also have to be offered support from the health care system.
- Living with a chronic disease is a daily challenge. Food is so much more than just blood sugar and weight. Therefore, it’s important that all patients who so wish are given the opportunity to discuss their diet and health with an expert. This is not the case today, and many experience that the health care system gives over-simplified advice, that doesn’t always fit the patient or the patient’s circumstances.
No Sugar
This week the revised Nordic Nutrition Recommendations were released. They advocate more whole grains, fish and vegetables, while sodas, candy and refined wheat flour are discouraged altogether. The recommendations provide the basis for the guidelines from the Swedish National Food Agency (USDA equivalent). They still recommend the plate model (“good proportions of various foods”). Eating twice as much fruit and vegetables, using margarine and vegetable oils are other recommendations mentioned as a way of decreasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. The advice on sugar intake is to cut the consumption of sodas, candy, ice cream, snacks and pastries in half.
Corren: Chief Physician: Forget About the MyPlate Guidelines (Original article in Swedish, by Rita Furbring, Östgöta Correspondenten, Sweden. E-mail: rita.furbring@corren.se)
More
Swedish Expert Committee: A Low-Carb Diet Most Effective for Weight Loss
It Will Get Worse: the New “MyPlate”
Good Night, Low-Fat Diet
Swedes Consuming Low-Fat Dairy Products Gain More Weight!
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