New U.S. diet guidelines inadequate, doctors say; group complains food industry has too much influence on the suggestions

• New federal Dietary Guidelines issued today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will not only fail to stem our nation's rising rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer, but are, in fact, guaranteed to make Americans fatter and less healthy, says Neal Barnard, M.D., president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).
• "The USDA must take the Big Meat, Big Sugar, and Big Dairy industries' money and influence out of the guidelines process," said Barnard.
• "We need to start talking the real problems and real solutions."
• Fatty foods, including meat and dairy products, as well as sugary foods are also high-calorie foods.
• They contribute to our growing obesity problems and to the rising rates of diabetes.
• Meat consumption, particularly red meat consumption, increases the risk of colon and other colorectal cancers.
• Dairy products---milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream---up your risk of developing ovarian and prostate cancer.
• Meat and dairy products, because of their high saturated fat content, make it more likely that you will develop heart disease or suffer from a stroke.
• Mercury and other toxins contained in the nation's fish supply are proven carcinogens and teratogens.
• Their dangers far outweigh the benefits of consuming them for their omega-3 fatty acids as recommended under the new guidelines.
• The guidelines should specifically recommend Americans avoid meat, dairy, and fish.
• Finally, says Barnard, if the government wants to get serious about reducing obesity and the incidence of chronic disease in the United States, it has to offer hard-and-fast recommendations that everyone can understand and follow.
• Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, especially good nutrition.
• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine 5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Ste.