Editorial: Uncle Sam takes aim at portion size

American Apparel had people peeved last summer when it sold a T-shirt flaunting the message… American Apparel had people peeved last summer when it sold a T-shirt flaunting the message “eat less.”

Now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are mimicking those trendy tops by telling people to cut down on their portions, and surprisingly, it’s the best dietary advice they’ve ever forwarded.

According to The New York Times, the major difference between the new dietary guidelines and those from past years is that “this time the government suggests that Americans … just eat less.”

Although a concept so simple probably won’t serve as an “aha!” moment for next season’s potential “Biggest Loser” candidates, the message is a step in the fewer-heart-attacks-during-the-Super-Bowl direction for the government.

Why? Because as The New York Times pointed out, the new guidelines demonstrate the government’s willingness to sever ties with powerful food lobbyists.

The process of creating the dietary guidelines is viewed as highly political, and rightfully so in our opinion. Instead of saying “eat less red meat,” the government can say “eat less saturated fat.” It’s a win-win situation for meat lobbyists and government officials, but not necessarily for those that look to the guidelines for legitimate advice about what to eat in what proportions.

Though some citizens might not study the guidelines the same way they study their ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend’s Facebook updates, food manufacturers and distributors take notice.

For example, General Mills substituted whole grains for refined grains in its guidelines for breakfast cereals.

In addition, Walmart — the world’s largest retailer — recently revealed a five-year plan for selling more nutritional food, according to CNN.

We hope that the “eat less” guidelines will also encourage restaurants to reduce John Goodman-sized portions — a contributor to the obesity epidemic in the country, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Of course, if you still fear political motives in the new dietary guidelines, you can always consult a nutritionist or registered dietitian instead. Full-time Pitt students who have paid the Student Health Fee are eligible for free nutrition consulting services at Student Health.

The new guidelines are available in a 112-page PDF at www.health.gov.

If reading a 100-plus-page government document interferes with your studies, concerned students can just remember the main take-away point: Eat less.