Nutrition And Human Needs

Foreword by Senator George McGovern "This report identifies dietary risk factors, recommends more healthful levels of consumption, and provides guidance in achieving these dietary goals." —George McGovern, Chairman, Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs The above statement is taken from Senator McGovern's specially written foreword to this book, the body of which consists of a full reprint of "Dietary Goals for the United States," prepared by the staff of the U.S. Senate's Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs and first released at a press conference held on January 14, 1977. The first part of the book highlights the nutritional benefits and health dangers of various kinds of readily available foods and puts forward six specific goals relating to the maximum total amounts and optimal relative proportions of these various foodstuffs recommended for the daily diet of normal adults. The book's second part presents recommendations for government action, such as programs of public education in the schools and on television and legislation requiring fuller and more meaningful nutritional labeling of food products. Dietary goals cannot of course be imposed by Federal fiat—but an educated public and informed consumers can make their demands and (health-oriented) desires felt in the marketplace. And every exhortation to "Drink XXX-Cola" and "Eat Rich Red Meat" can be countered by a quiet, factual examination of where following these plugs could lead.