It is no secret that Americans are not the healthiest populace in the world. We are overweight and don’t always make the best food choices.
I am a libertarian-leaning Republican who does not like the government telling me what I can and cannot eat or drink, yet I support the dietary guidelines released by the Trump administration in January. The guidelines, mirroring the message coming from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, are realistic ways to guide Americans to better food and drink choices.
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It is important to note that the leader of the movement is an example of good health. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is leading by example. Clearly, he hits the gym often and shows that hard work pays off. RFK Jr. is also pushing a healthy-eating agenda that will help Americans to lose weight and consume healthier foods.
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On the food side, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for the next five years asks American households to prioritize diets built on “whole, nutrient-dense foods — protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains” while pairing that diet with “a dramatic reduction in highly processed foods laden with refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives.” This seems like common sense and speaks to Americans who are helped by some positive reinforcement when they make good food decisions.
Following these guidelines would be a big change for most American families. On Jan. 8, NPR reported, “Kennedy described the guidelines as the most significant reset on nutrition policy in history, calling for an end to policies that promote highly refined foods that are harmful to health.” He described a new food pyramid that included red meat, cheese, vegetables, and fruits at the top. Those foods have not traditionally been on the pyramid of most Americans grocery list, but increasing the consumption of these recommended foods would help to forward the idea of a healthier America.
On alcohol consumption, the Guidelines speak to commonsense changes from recommendations of the past. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), argued for alcohol consumption restraint while recognizing that “alcohol is a social lubricant that brings people together.” Talking down to the American people is not a good way to influence them. The Trump administration has adopted a realistic approach that balances less consumption with the fact that Americans will consume alcohol during social gatherings. This pivot from past recommendations abandons prior finger-wagging guidelines that talked down to citizens.
The guidelines also make clear that pregnant women or people with a prior problem with alcohol consumption should refrain. The new recommendations ditched the odd limit that American males should only consume two drinks and women only one. That former guidance was not based on scientific study and struck most as arbitrary.
Another aspect of the debate is to recognize that not all alcohol consumption is the same. Limiting the number of drinks ignores the distinction between hard liquor, beer, and wine. It is important to note that having a beer while grilling is far different from drinking a Bloody Mary or a Whisky Sour. The average alcohol by volume for beer is 5%, while liquor is 40%. Beer has a lower alcohol content, which translates into slower and lower rates of intoxication. Studies show that peak alcohol content after drinking a beer is significantly lower than after drinking a similar amount of alcohol from liquor. The big takeaway is that not all alcohol consumption is the same, and beer should not be treated the same as liquor consumption.
I consider myself a responsible consumer of beer and wine, because both are considered beverages of moderation, as opposed to hard liquors. Our nation has a long history of breweries, and in many states, a bar was a common place for people to gather for more than just a drink. A bar can be a place where people gather to watch a sporting event or to meet friends. It adds to the social fabric of America to have a place where people have a few beers while building a sense of community.
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When you marry the dietary guidelines with government recommendations on exercise, you have a good picture of how to urge Americans to live healthier lives. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion points out that “physical activity is key to improving the health of the nation” by helping “people understand the benefits of physical activity and how to make it a part of their regular routine.” Taken as a whole, exercise, responsible alcohol consumption, and healthier diets will make America healthy again.
The MAHA movement inspired something good to come from the federal government.
Brian Darling is former Counsel for Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
