Group Grains observes hazards in the Guidelines simulation
“Although the food simulation centered around staple carbohydrates is well-intentioned, we are worried that substituting refined, enriched grains with starchy vegetables and beans, peas, and lentils may further compromise Americans’ nutrient sufficiency, especially for women of childbearing age and those who are nursing due to their increased nutritional requirements,” Ms. Ball stated. “In addition, we suggest that the committee take into account the possibility that starchy vegetables could be more expensive and less stable than grains when determining how much grain to replace.”
The letter was written in response to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s call for public feedback on revised and new draft procedures. The third DGAC meeting, which took place in late September, was the reason for the invitation for opinions. The DGAC is analyzing the scientific evidence about nutrition and health using three methods: data analysis, dietary pattern modeling, and systematic reviews. The second strategy, which has caught the interest of GFF, will look at hypothetical changes to the consumption of grain-based foods and evaluate how those changes would affect nutrient intake and general health.
Ms. Ball used various aspects on grains to frame her discussion of eating pattern modeling, such as:
Important nutrient sources that are underutilized are staple grains.
Both whole and refined grains have specific functions in assisting Americans in meeting their dietary needs, especially those related to nutrients that are of public health importance.
In order to recognize the contributions of staple grain foods to a healthy diet, the DGAC ought to use its classification authority to describe these foods more subtly.
Given that nutrition insecurity is a “pervasive concern in the US,” more knowledge is needed about the importance, affordability, and popularity of staple grain foods as dietary sources of essential nutrients.
Avoiding foods high in grains can have disastrous health effects, according to Ms. Ball.
“A baby born to a mother who restricts their intake of carbohydrates has a 30% increased risk of having anencephaly or spina bifida,” the researcher stated. “Dietary fiber and important vitamins like folate, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and vitamin A, along with minerals like iron, zinc, manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and selenium are all found in grain foods, which are also high in nutrients.”
The examination of DGAC data should highlight the unique and significant functions that whole and refined, enriched grain foods play in promoting healthy eating habits. She issued a warning that substituting starchy vegetables, beans, peas, and lentils for grains may make consumption deficiencies of minerals, fiber, and folic acid worse.
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“The quantities, proportions, variety, or combination of different foods, drinks, and nutrients in diets, and the frequency with which they are habitually consumed” is how the DGAC defines dietary patterns.
She referenced an analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2009–2016) that demonstrated that if grain intake was halved, the proportion of children who do not meet the estimated average requirements for folate would increase from 3.6% to 9.2% and nearly double for adults, from 12.2% to 23.2%.
The GFF further recommended that the committee make a distinction between staple and discretionary grains in evaluating the findings and implications of systematic evidence reviews and eating pattern modeling.
More directly, the statement was made in response to remarks from the DGAC citing data showing a lower risk of multiple chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, when one consumes less refined grains and more whole grains.
The GFF added, “As mentioned in point 3 above, we are concerned that it is not in the interest of public health to group together discretionary and staple refined grains.” Refined grains and sweets were categorized together inconsistently in the 2020 Dietary Pattern and Growth, Size, and Body Composition Systematic Review. Actually, only around 17% of refined grains are elective.
As a result of epidemiological studies’ tendency to group refined grains with less nutritious diets, the viewpoint on the healthfulness
In terms of affordability, Ms. Ball stated that the committee should acknowledge the advantages of staple grain foods as a well-liked source of nutrition that is affordable on a low budget and accommodating of various cultural foodways, especially in tackling nutrition poverty in the United States.
The GFF suggested that the committee take into account the potential negative effects on price and shelf-stability that could result from substituting starchy vegetables for grain amounts in their analysis of these simulations.