The following are VSDC's statement at the 2004 September 21 meeting of the USDA / DHHS Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Advisory Committee, 2005 Review. We were allowed 3 minutes time to speak. In the online public comments on the 2004 Report of the Dietary Guidelines, the organization under which our statement is filed is the International Vegetarian Union.

Comments to USDA / DHHS for Review of Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005

Good Morning. I'm Saurabh Dalal and I thank you for the opportunity to voice comments in this tremendously important forum. These comments are presented on behalf of three non-profit organizations:

The International Vegetarian Union (www.ivu.org)
The Vegetarian Union of North America (www.ivu.org/vuna)
The Vegetarian Society of DC (www.vsdc.org)

Vegetarian foods offer powerful advantages and study after study has shown, and proven, the remarkable health benefits of a vegetarian diet. Animal products are the main source of saturated fats, the only source of cholesterol in the diet, and contain no fiber which we know helps to reduce cholesterol levels. We claim that a well-planned, low-fat vegetarian diet - actually a vegan diet where no animal products whatsoever are consumed - is the best diet for humans. Preventing and actually reversing heart disease, preventing certain cancers, preventing and reversing diabetes, lowering blood pressure, and helping manage weight are some of the successes of such a diet, and there are many more.

The American Dietetic Association in its 2003 position paper on vegetarian diets states:

Well-planned vegan and other types of vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle.... Vegetarian diets offer a number of nutritional benefits. Vegetarians have been reported to have lower body mass indices than nonvegetarians, lower rates of death from ischemic heart disease; show lower blood cholesterol levels; lower blood pressure; and lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer. All from the ADA.

And the 5^th ed of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 2000, states: "Vegetarian diets can be consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and meet Recommended Dietary Allowances for nutrients."

Support for vegetarian diets is established and strong.

We urge the Review Team to clearly emphasize plant foods and alternatives to meat and dairy. A broad variety of plant foods consisting of whole grains, whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fortified cereals can ensure a healthy, well-balanced diet. An emphasis on consuming a colorful and wide variety of plant foods would take care of all nutrients being included in the diet.

A few reminders:

1. A diet drawn from varied plant sources easily satisfies protein requirements, without the potential for protein excess. Soy protein has been shown to be nutritionally equivalent in protein value to proteins of animal origin.

2. Many plant-based sources of calcium exist. Examples are dark leafy greens and fortified soy or rice milk. The more extensive range of dietary sources of calcium from plant foods would increase intakes of boron, vitamin K, and magnesium, helping reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Let's not forget that calcium absorption and bio-availability from dark leafy greens have been shown to be excellent, better than dairy foods.

Also very important in regard to the basic food groups is that each serving of cooked leafy green vegetables count as a serving from the calcium-rich foods group AND in the vegetable group. This is an added benefit, showing the versatility and benefit of plant-based foods.

3. Animal products being acidic force calcium out of the body and so promote bone loss.

4. Iron is plentiful in beans, whole grains, and fruits.

5. Flax seeds are an excellent source of omega 3's whereas fish and consumption of other sea animals have the downside of potential mercury content, other contaminants, and significant cholesterol.

6. Eating patterns are changing and the diets of a great many are more plant-based than a decade ago. The USDA guidelines must address the needs of those moving away from animal products, consistent with the major messages of the Advisory Committee, but also with guidance that is more comprehensive in terms of alternatives to animal foods and cow's milk.

We urge the Review Team to incorporate even more vegetarian foods, specifically a well-planned, low-fat, vegan diet, with its remarkable health benefits and other benefits in all respects, as you update the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION.

Sincerely,

Saurabh F. Dalal

Secretary, The International Vegetarian Union (www.ivu.org)
Secretary, The Vegetarian Union of North America (www.ivu.org/vuna)
President, The Vegetarian Society of DC (www.vsdc.org)