Dietary guidelines: what’s in, what’s out

Isn’t it fun to try to keep up with the latest and greatest in dietary recommendations? One day carbs are in, the next, they’re out. Sometimes we hear that eggs are perfectly fine; the next, that they are big-time no-nos. Still, only one food mantra remains constant: eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Other than that, rules have come and gone.

So what’s new on the food front? As we said, eggs were out, but now they’re back. Oh, and sugar is blacklisted. But is there more to it? Let’s dig deeper.

• Eggs: The jury is now in. Cholesterol levels in your food are not the main influence on cholesterol levels in your body. So have no fear when you eat that daily egg for breakfast.
• Sugar: Loading up on sugar is now a definitive don’t, although moderate amounts of raw, unprocessed sugar is still acceptable. Definitely avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.
• Fruit or fruit juice: A banana contains about 14 grams of sugar wrapped in fibrous material to slow down digestion. An 8-ounce glass of apple juice contains no fiber and has triple the sugar. Stick with fruit.
• Processed or unprocessed: Unless you get sustenance from the woods and garden, it’s likely you are eating some type of processed food. Even so, many processed foods are devoid of fiber and heavy on sweeteners and preservatives. Go unprocessed wherever possible.
• Red meat: Sorry to tell you, but red meat is an offender. It contains L-carnitine, which research has found could accelerate the buildup of plaque in your arteries.

If you found something you regularly eat on the offender’s list, don’t worry. Remember what they say, everything in moderation.

Focus on healthy outcomes wherever possible, but don’t stress if you can’t adhere 100 percent. After all, what we can or can’t eat changes so much, who knows what the new rules will be tomorrow.