New Dietary Guidelines Issued by USDA and HHS: Expanded Guidance for Infants and Toddlers

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have released new dietary guidelines that include recommendations for babies and toddlers for the first time. The guidelines, which are intended to dictate much of what Americans of all ages will eat over the next five years, focus on customizing and enjoying nutrient-dense food and beverage choices. They provide a foundation for federal nutrition programs and are used by healthcare professionals and policymakers.

The new guidelines have expanded guidance for infants, toddlers, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, helping all Americans to improve their health, regardless of their age or life stage. However, the guidance does not follow quantitative recommendations in two key areas—alcohol and sugar intake—addressed by an advisory committee's scientific report.

Key Takeaways:

• The new guidelines include recommendations for babies and toddlers for the first time, focusing on "customizing and enjoy nutrient-dense food and beverage choices to reflect personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary considerations."
• The guidelines suggest introducing nutrient-dense foods to infants at 6 months of life, along with "potentially allergenic foods."
• The American Academy of Pediatrics-approved guidance advises exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, with introduction of peanut-containing foods at 4 to 6 months in infants at high risk of peanut allergy.
• The guidelines recommend providing infants with supplemental vitamin D beginning soon after birth.
• The prevalence of added sugars in the American diet is a concern, with 70% of added sugars intake coming from five food categories: sweetened beverages, desserts and sweet snacks, coffee and tea (with their additions), candy and sugars, and breakfast cereals and bars.
• The guidelines suggest limiting foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium, and limiting alcoholic beverages, at every life stage. A child should consume less than 10% of calories per day of saturated fat at the age of 2, and sodium consumption should be less than 2,300 milligrams per day.
• The American Institute for Cancer Research suggested that the recommendations don't fully represent research about the health benefits of reducing the intake of processed meats and added sugars beyond the 10% of calories recommended by the new guidelines.

Statistics:

• The new guidelines recommend that a child should consume less than 10% of calories per day of saturated fat at the age of 2.
• Sodium consumption should be less than 2,300 milligrams per day, and even less for kids under 14 years old.
• Nearly 70% of added sugars intake comes from five food categories: sweetened beverages, desserts and sweet snacks, coffee and tea (with their additions), candy and sugars, and breakfast cereals and bars.
• The guidelines suggest introducing "potentially allergenic foods" to infants at 6 months of life.

Sources:

• CNN: "New dietary guidelines issued by USDA and HHS for the first time include recommendations for babies and toddlers"
• USDA and HHS: "2020 Dietary Guidelines"
• American Academy of Pediatrics: "Breastfeeding and Complementary Foods for Infants"
• Food Allergy Research & Education: "Inclusion of Comprehensive Dietary Guidance Around the Early Introduction of Egg and Peanut for Infants and Toddlers"
• American Institute for Cancer Research: "Dietary Recommendations for Reducing Cancer Risk"
• Marion Nestle, Paulette Goddard professor emerita of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University, in an interview with CNN.