Existing dietary recommendations are problematic for a number of reasons, including their unnecessarily prescriptive nature and the low-certainty evidence underpinning some of their assumptions. Moreover, a renewed focus on adequate nourishment is warranted, which is a richer concept than what is usually referred to in the case of ‘healthy diets’. Despite the omnipresence of dietary guidelines, nutrient deficiencies still constitute a public health problem, also in high-income countries such as the USA, whereas diet-related non-communicable diseases have increased to epidemic proportions, with only a minority of adults currently in optimal cardiometabolic health. Given that existing dietary recommendations need to be considered as failed policy, novel dietary frameworks are needed that are rigorously evidence-based, regionally and culturally sensitive, and more recognisant of individual variations in both nutrient requirements and preferences.
The human omnivore can adopt numerous dietary patterns and habits to achieve optimal nourishment, also in manners that may conflict with conventional dietary guidelines (e.g. low-carb diets). However, there are limits to this dietary flexibility, influenced by nutrient density and food processing levels. The nutrient density of a diet typically improves with the inclusion of animal source foods - their vilification needs to stop! See also the scientific portal ALEPH2020 for a comprehensive overview in defense of animal sourced foods.
Minimally processed foods should be advocated as the preferred dietary choice, but a certain amount of moderately processed foods is considered to be beneficial. Especially when plant-based foods dominate the diet, substantial processing steps are required to mitigate phytotoxins and enhance nutrient bioavailability. However, excessive processing diminishes food quality and diets rich in ultra-processed foods are detrimental. For scientific evidence on the harms caused by UPFs, see Ultra-Processed Foods: What Are They and Why Do We Need to Avoid Them?
Future dietary guidance needs to emphasize flexibility and allow individuals to self-select a variety of nutrient-dense, satiating foods, while steering away from foods that are metabolically inappropriate (refined starches, sugars, ultra-processed foods). Ensuring adequate nourishment is especially crucial for populations with specific nutritional needs, such as the young and the elderly.
More information on a novel framework for dietary recommendations (and the scientific evidence underpinning this framework) can be found here: THE NOURISHMENT TABLE