Dr. Wyatt has spent her career focused on the science of weight management. Her analogies and motivation are sure to help people better understand the secrets to maintaining lost weight. Visit the True Health Initiative website's podcast page for more information.

Most Americans consume dietary sodium exceeding age-specific government-recommended targets of 1,500–2,300 mg/day per person. Americans consume on average 50% more than the recommended limit for those age 14 years and older which could have profound impacts on later health outcomes.

It’s not the salt shaker - The majority (71%) of US dietary sodium comes from restaurant and packaged foods.

Why is it important? Excess sodium intake contributes to hypertension and cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

For years, experts and the government have been recommending a reduction in the amount of sodium in our diets and recently – October, 2021 – the FDA announced voluntary sodium reduction goals for Commercially Processed, Packaged, and Prepared Foods.

A major announcement aimed at reducing the burden of diet-related chronic disease, improve #publichealth and advance health equity...

Today to enlighten us on voluntary sodium reduction goals is our guest, Robin McKinnon, PhD, MPA, Senior Advisor for Nutrition Policy at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). Dr. McKinnon works to advance the FDA’s nutrition-related activities across CFSAN, including those related to sodium reduction. Prior to joining the FDA, Dr. McKinnon was a Health Policy Specialist at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health. At NCI, Dr. McKinnon led initiatives to advance policy-relevant research on diet, obesity and physical activity. Dr. McKinnon has a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from the George Washington University and a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University.

The Guidelines may be relatively consistent but drinking patterns (especially during Covid-19 pandemic), and types of beverages have changed significantly.
Harvard’s Dr. Eric Rimm, thought leader, alcohol researcher, and True Health Initiative Council member, joins Kathleen Zelman on the podcast for a spirited conversation into the prevailing wisdom and body of evidence on alcohol consumption.

There is no recommendation to start drinking for health. So, if you don’t drink, don’t start. The rest applies to those who do drink alcohol. 

They discuss how, in the context of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, not smoking, wholesome diet and healthy body weight, alcohol in moderation confers health benefits. Learn more about the risks; who should avoid alcohol; binge drinking and the importance of moderation.

Key messages:

• The weight of the evidence continues to support moderate drinking defined as two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
• Many variables play into these recommendations including genetics, so it is wise to discuss alcohol consumption with your physician.
• It doesn’t matter if you choose spirits, wine or beer.
• A drink (standard drink equivalent) is 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, OR 5 ounces of 12% alcohol wine, OR 12 ounces regular (not high gravity or craft) 5% alcohol beer.
• Beware of the calories! Drinking too much leads to weight gain. Most alcohol is 100-150 calories per serving but that does not include mixers.
• It’s best to enjoy alcohol with food and it’s not a bad idea to take off one day a week of alcohol consumption.