For years, many Americans followed outdated nutrition guidelines, believing they were eating healthily. Unfortunately, skyrocketing rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes told a different story. Recently, the FDA and USDA admitted that the old food pyramid was flawed. The new dietary guidelines offer a fresh start, emphasizing whole foods, protein, and healthy fats while minimizing refined carbs and processed foods.
Nutrition expert Joel Bikman highlights the failure of the old guidelines. He points out that they didn’t consider how our bodies handle energy. “When dietary advice neglects biology, you see the health issues we have today,” he explains. The old pyramid prioritized grains, suggesting that bread and pasta were essentials. In reality, this led to increased blood sugar, hunger, and fat storage, contributing to insulin resistance—a common factor in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
The old guidelines also unfairly demonized dietary fats, especially saturated fats. Low-fat products filled the market, often loaded with sugars to compensate for the lack of flavor. Bikman argues that removing healthy fats made many people feel hungrier and pushed them toward ultra-processed options. “Healthy fats from eggs, dairy, and nuts should be embraced,” he says. These fats are essential for digestion and hormone production, helping regulate appetite.
Furthermore, the previous focus on calories ignored how different foods affect hormones. Two meals with the same calorie count can impact insulin and hunger levels differently. Many people followed the rules but still gained weight because their diets were inherently flawed. As Bikman puts it, “Calories matter, but hormones dictate how your body processes those calories.”
The new dietary guidelines shift the focus to food quality. Protein now takes center stage. It’s more than just a dietary requirement. Adequate protein intake at every meal helps maintain muscle mass, boosts metabolism, and keeps blood sugar steady. Bikman emphasizes that “protein is the most metabolically protective macronutrient.” Focusing on it can naturally improve overall health.
Additionally, healthy fats are no longer shunned. The new guidelines encourage consuming whole-food fats, such as those from oils, eggs, and dairy. These fats are not only nutritious but also provide sustained energy and hunger control.
Another vital change is the sharp decrease in allowable added sugars in foods labeled as “healthy.” Added sugar has been a primary contributor to insulin spikes and metabolic dysfunction. Reducing sugar can vastly improve health outcomes, making it a fundamental step toward better dietary practices.
However, understanding these new recommendations is just one hurdle; putting them into practice is another. Busy lifestyles often lead to reliance on convenience foods, making adopting healthier habits challenging.
This is where products like HLTH Code come in. Developed by Joel Bikman and a team of nutrition experts, HLTH Code aligns with the new dietary principles. Offering balanced meals high in protein, healthy fats, and low in sugar, it makes healthy eating straightforward and accessible. Bikman states the intention was to create something reliable for everyone, as simplifying nutrition can help people stick to healthier choices.
Ultimately, the new approach to nutrition reflects a shift toward understanding how food affects our bodies biologically. With society facing a growing metabolic crisis, these new guidelines aim to correct the course. The focus on real food, protein, and healthy fats can guide people toward better health and sustained energy.
The battle for better nutrition isn’t just about the food we eat but how we incorporate it into our daily lives. It’s time we move beyond outdated advice and embrace a more informed, holistic approach to our diets.
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