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Optimized use of nutrient dense foods in a thrifty diet
Author(s) -
Luick Bret Roger,
Bersamin Andrea
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.550.26
Subject(s) - micronutrient , baseline (sea) , supplemental nutrition assistance program , nutrition education , food stamp program , nutrient , food group , environmental health , promotion (chess) , business , food choice , low income , food science , medicine , gerontology , food insecurity , agriculture , economics , food security , food stamps , geography , biology , political science , socioeconomics , fishery , law , ecology , archaeology , pathology , market economy , politics , welfare
Background It is unclear whether national dietary guidelines which are promoted by federal nutrition education programs such as EFNEP are economically feasible for low income families‐particularly in a climate of increasing costs of food and other household costs. Objectives The objective of this work was to develop a food plan for low‐income Alaskans which reflect current local prices and dietary habits while remaining within the constraints of federal dietary recommendations and SNAP benefits. Methods Following the paradigm set forth by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy Promotion, nonlinear optimization was used to construct a balanced diet starting from current baseline dietary practices, represented by recent 24 hour recalls of the Alaska Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program database. Model constraints included MyPryamid servings, macro‐ and micronutrient recommendations and food stamp benefits. Outcomes Baseline diet was low in fruit and vegetable servings and high in added sugars and fat, but was affordable. A feasible optimized solution for a revised food plan required introduction of nutrient dense foods.