Proposed Nutrition Rules To Stress Differences Between Fats

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WASHINGTON - New federal nutrition guidelines proposed yesterday would for the first time make a clear distinction between fats Americans should eat and fats they should avoid.

Instead of simply reducing overall fat in their diets, Americans would be advised to avoid dangerous fats - such as those found in some meats, poultry and whole-milk dairy products and the trans-fatty acids in many baked goods. The guidelines also would encourage Americans to eat moderate amounts of fats that are actually healthful, such as those in olive oil, fresh fish, lean meat and poultry, and low-fat dairy products, a draft of the guidelines states.

The guidelines, written by an 11-member panel mandated by Congress, are expected to be made final later this year but are not expected to change significantly.

While evidence has been accumulating for years that some types of fat are good and some are bad, the proposed guidelines represent the first time this distinction would be incorporated into the federal government's official recommendations for a healthy diet.

The most recent guidelines, which were issued in 1995, simply urge Americans to ''choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.''

The scientific evidence that has accumulated since the guidelines were last issued shows that a diet low in total fat is not necessarily the best way to remain healthy, the panel concluded. Instead, a diet ''moderate in total fat'' but low in saturated fat and trans-fatty acids is best, according to the panel.

The proposed guidelines place a new emphasis on fitness and physical activity and for the first time include sections on portion sizes and safe food handling. They also include strong recommendations for losing weight, as obesity is one of the leading health problems in the nation.

To help encourage weight reduction and fitness, the guidelines recommend 30 minutes of daily exercise for all adults, even for those in wheelchairs and the elderly. Children are urged to get 60 minutes a day of physical activity on most days, and people trying to lose or maintain weight are advised that 30 minutes of exercise daily ''may not be enough.''

Recognizing the growing ethnic diversity of the American public, the guidelines also highlight how Asian and Hispanic foods can fit with the nutritional goals of the food pyramid. Tofu and calcium-fortified soy milk now have a place in the recommendations alongside more traditional foods.

Thirst should be quenched first with water, not with carbonated soft drinks or other sweetened beverages, the guidelines say. Go easy on the salt intake, limiting sodium to about 2,400 milligrams per day, or roughly the amount found in one teaspoon of table salt, to help keep blood pressure normal.

Alcohol intake should be limited to one drink a day for women and no more than two per day for men, with the caveat of drinking with meals to slow alcohol absorption.