Current Grain Consumption
Issues from a Research
Perspective
Lisa Harnack, DrPH, RD
Associate Professor
Division of Epidemiology
University of Minnesota
Issue # 1 Current dietary
recommendations favor
consumption of grains, future
recommendations will likely
place greater focus on quality and
quantity
Taste
Convenience
Price
Availability
Promotion/ advertising
Nutrition/ Health
Taste
Convenience
Price
Availability
Promotion/ advertising
Nutrition/ Health
Let the Pyramid guide
your food choices
Choose a variety of grains daily,
especially whole grains
Choose a variety of fruits
and vegetables daily
Keep food safe to eat
Choose a diet that is low
in saturated fat and cholesterol
and moderate in total fat
Choose beverages and foods
to moderate your intake of sugars
Choose and prepare foods with less salt
If you drink alcoholic beverages,
do so in moderation
Future dietary recommendations
related to grains and grain-based
products
2005 Report of the Dietary
Guidelines Advisory Committee
• Consume a variety of foods within and
among the basic food groups while staying
within energy needs
• Control calorie intake to manage body
weight
• Be physically active everyday
• Increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables,
whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat milk and
milk products
• Choose fats wisely for good health
• Choose carbohydrates wisely for good health
• Choose and prepare foods with little salt
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in
moderation
• Keep food safe to eat
2005 Food Guide Pyramid (?)
• Simplified graphical image and possible addition
of logo
• Communicate guidance through multiple channels
and materials
• Greater focus on food pattern needs of individuals
based on age, sex, and activity level to promote
calorie balance
• Maximum amount of discretionary calories and
solid fats will be provided by calorie level
Issue #2 Non-governmental
dietary ‘recommendations’ are
reaching the public and
influencing grain consumption
Trends in age-adjusted mean intake of
macronutrients, males 25-74 years, MHS
70
60
% 50
k 40
c
a 30
l
s 20
52.2
42.1
39.3
44.1
38.3
47.6
35.2
49.9
Fat
Carbohydrate
Protein
32.4
30.7
15.8
15.6
15.6
15.7
15.9
1980-82
1985-87
1990-92
1995-97
2000-02
10
0
Issue #3: Strategies for abating
the obesity epidemic may have
major implications for grain
consumption
Diet-related solutions to the
obesity epidemic
 Modified diets: Low-fat, low-carbohydrate,
high nutrient density diet, etc.
 EAT LESS
 Behavioral interventions- self-monitoring
(self weighing, calorie counting)
 Environmental changes: Modify food
availability, portion sizes, pricing,
promotion, etc.