The important role for fruit and whole grains highlighted

25/04/05 The unveiling of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new MyPyramid Plan will put to rest the speculation over the shape of America's diet, but experts say that the real focus should be simple changes people can make to eat more healthfully - including those that call for eating more fruits and whole grains.

"The time for debating the shape of the new system is over," said Penny Kris-Etherton, Ph.D, R.D., Distinguished Professor of Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University and a member of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.  "Now the real work begins, showing people how easy it is to translate the guidelines into a real life meal plan."

Kris-Etherton has developed a snapshot of a daily meal plan that fits with the new Food Guidance System.  She puts special emphasis on the increased recommendations for fruits (four servings) and whole grains (three servings) per day.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee Report, eating fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer, heart disease, hypertension and stroke.  Currently, Americans on average only consume three-quarters of a cup of fruit per day, as compared to the new recommendation of two cups.

Fruits and fruit juices are important sources of nutrients of concern in the diet, including potassium and vitamin C.  Only about half of U.S. adults consume the recommended amount of vitamin C.  No single age group currently gets the recommended amount of potassium.  Potassium is important because it may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.  Drinking an 8 oz. glass of Tropicana orange juice daily provides a full day's amount of vitamin C and is a good source of potassium (13% DV) and folate (15% DV).

Whole grains appear in the Food Guidance System for the first time because the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee Report linked diets rich in whole grains to reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes, as well as helping with weight management.  In spite of these important benefits, government surveys have shown that fewer than one in 10 people consume the recommended amount of whole grains.

Oatmeal is the only whole grain food recognized by the FDA to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Oatmeal can also aid in maintaining a healthy weight as part of a diet rich in fiber.  All Quaker Oatmeal - Old-fashioned and Instant - are whole-grain foods and provide proven health benefits.

In addition to providing a great start in meeting the recommendations, a healthy breakfast also delivers many well-documented benefits.  Research shows that people who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than those who skip it.

Tropicana Products, Inc., a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., is the leading producer and marketer of branded fruit juices. Tropicana markets its products in the United States under a variety of brand names, including Tropicana Pure Premium not-from-concentrate juices; Dole juices and juice blends; Tropicana Juices and Pure Tropics juices; Tropicana Smoothies; and Tropicana Twister juice beverages. The Dole brand name is licensed from Dole Food Co., Inc.

In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted the first food- specific health claim to Quaker Oats for soluble fiber in oatmeal and its heart-health benefits.  The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago, is a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., one of the world's largest consumer packaged good companies.  Quaker's brands include Quaker Oatmeal, Quaker Rice Snacks, Cap'n Crunch and Life cereals, Rice-A-Roni and Near East side dishes and Aunt Jemima pancake mixes and syrups.

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