Dietitian faced with government dietary guidelines based on myths

Publication of the latest nutritional guidelines of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) gives a lot to talk about. Many people began to criticize them, giving them a political connotation, for the simple fact that this agency depends on Ministry of Consumption. However, the truth is that everything on display is based on the latest scientific research in the field of nutrition. However, some criticism comes even from scholars such as Dr. Conchita Vidalesa nutritionist who assured Telecinco in an interview that the ministry should “dedicate itself to its cause” and let professionals “who know what they’re talking about” have their say.

Following this clear stance against new dietary advice, he makes several claims, such as that lentils they should always be taken with rice so that nothing happens because it is not whole, and so that animal proteins are better absorbed.

His remarks caused a great wiggle on social media, dividing them, as usual, into two teams. On the one hand, people, as a rule, without scientific training, are dissatisfied with the work of the government. And, on the other hand, there are a lot of nutritionists and other scientists who claim that Vidales’s statements are in line with nutritional recommendations from a decade ago. Let’s then see what the scientific reality is behind what matters.

Lentils with rice, the myth of dietary advice

Vidales’ first recommendation is based on what he said earlier on the same TV show. He claims that lentils should be eaten with rice because it does not contain all amino acids necessary.

To understand this, we first need to understand what amino acids are. This is each of blocks what are proteins made of. When an animal or plant protein enters the body, it is broken down into these bricks, which will then be used to create new proteins. So it’s important to have the 20 different types of amino acids that exist because that way we can build any protein out of them.

Does what the nutritionist says make sense then? The truth is, no. And the fact is that during the day we would not eat only these lentils. We accept several meals a day and the compendium of them all will easily have all the amino acids. When we say that the meal should be complete, we do not mean that all amino acidsbut contain an adequate supply of different types of nutrients. At this stage, nutritional recommendations are often based on the Harvard Chart, which states that a serving should include half fruit and vegetables, one quarter whole grains, and one quarter protein. All this, moreover, is accompanied by a sufficient amount of healthy fats.

Why are whole grains better?

The nutritional guidelines just published remind us of what we already know: grains that preferably whole.

Vidales, on the other hand, points out that there is no need to accompany lentils as they already provide enough fiber. But the recommendation to eat whole grains isn’t just based on fiber. Logically, we need a sufficient amount of it. But the very fact of eating cereals that are not whole grains is also harmful.

To understand this, we must know what the differences are. Whole grain ingredients full seed. That is, they contain all three layers, known as germ, endosperm and bran. However, refined whole grains only contain the endosperm. Fiber, vitamins, minerals and lipids are in the remaining layers, since the endosperm is almost pure starch. It is a macromolecule that breaks down into many glucose subunits and this is where the problem begins.

When blood glucose levels rise, the hormone insulin must be released so that cells can use it for energy. However, if these levels are too high, two things happen. On the one hand, that the glucose that accumulates dries up. storage as fat. On the other hand, every time need more insulin. These spikes in insulin can lead to diabetes, so it’s not a game.

It is possible that the fiber in lentils can help assimilate some of the excess glucose from rice. However, this would not have been enough, and besides, we allegedly had rice in addition to lentils, and not vice versa.

Dietary recommendations for plant and animal protein

Finally, Vidales criticizes the government’s emphasis on dietary advice vegetable protein than to an animal. According to her, the latter is much better absorbed by our body.

But the point is not what is absorbed better or worse, but what is more beneficial for the body. And here, studies published in recent years with good methodological design agree that replacing part of the animal protein with plant protein increases life expectancy. None of them indicate poor absorption of these proteins, which are also significantly healthier.

It is for this reason that AESAN nutritional recommendations priority is given to vegetable protein. Although, of course, the animal is not prohibited.

Detox Shakes Have No Scientific Evidence

Conchita Vidales, in addition to cooperation in television programs, has a fairly extensive resume. She is the head of the food department. Clinic Lopez Ybor, from Madrid. In addition, he discloses nutrition in various formats and belongs to, among others, the Spanish Society of Dietetics and Nutrition and the Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine.

He also belongs to Spanish Society of Mesotherapy. This is a traditional medicine method that is openly considered pseudo-therapy and is not even approved by the Consumer Organization (OCU).

On the other hand, she is the medical director of Drink6, a company specializing in selling detox juicesaimed, as the name suggests, at removing toxins from the body.

It should be noted that a toxin is defined as poisonous substance produced by living cells of animals, plants, bacteria or other biological organisms. Therefore, our body does not need to eliminate toxins, because in this case we would be poisoned and we would need much more than just juice. In addition, if this is the case, we have organs such as the liver and kidneys, whose role is precisely to detoxify.

For this reason, consumption detox juices or smoothies does not enjoy a good reputation in scientific communication. Mainly because there is no scientific evidence to back it up.

Yes, there are the latest AESAN nutrition guidelines. The vast majority of nutritionists are categorically in favor of what is exposed, since they are looking for not only benefits for our body. Same for the planet. At the moment it is more than necessary.