[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 804 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 804

 Recognizing the importance of animal-based protein as a component of 
      the balanced diet of most individuals in the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 21, 2012

    Mrs. Lummis (for herself and Mr. Bishop of Utah) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                              Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the importance of animal-based protein as a component of 
      the balanced diet of most individuals in the United States.

Whereas the report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the 2010 
        Dietary Guidelines for Americans (published in June 2010 under section 
        301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 
        1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341)) provides that protein is the most important 
        macronutrient in the diet because protein provides essential amino acids 
        and is a source of energy;
Whereas the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend choosing a variety 
        of protein-rich foods, including seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, 
        beans and peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds;
Whereas protein-rich foods contribute B vitamins (including niacin, thiamin, 
        riboflavin, and B<INF>6</INF>), vitamin E, iron, zinc, and magnesium to 
        the diet;
Whereas zinc, iron, and other nutrients are critical for brain development and 
        function;
Whereas meat and poultry are complete proteins that offer all the essential 
        amino acids in a single serving;
Whereas most people, ages 9 and older, should eat 5 to 7 ounces of protein foods 
        each day;
Whereas when protein needs are high, as during growth and development, the 
        consumption of meat and poultry provides both a greater quantity and 
        quality of protein than the consumption of plant-based food;
Whereas plant-based foods can be combined to improve protein quality, the number 
        of calories of plant-based food that must be consumed to provide an 
        adequate intake of protein must be considered;
Whereas a substantial number of women of childbearing age are iron deficient;
Whereas women of a childbearing age can increase iron levels in the body by 
        choosing foods that supply heme iron, which is more readily absorbed by 
        the body, other iron sources, and enhancers of iron absorption, such as 
        vitamin C-rich foods;
Whereas sources of heme iron include lean meat, poultry, and seafood;
Whereas plant-based foods, including white beans, lentils, spinach, and foods 
        enriched with iron, such as most breads and cereals, do not contain heme 
        iron;
Whereas nonheme iron is not as readily absorbed by the body; and
Whereas the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide that: ``All 
        vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seafood, eggs, beans and peas, 
        unsalted nuts and seeds, fat-free and low-fat milk and milk products, 
        and lean meats and poultry--when prepared without solid fats or added 
        sugars--are nutrient-dense foods.'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of animal-based protein as a 
        component of the balanced diet of most individuals in the 
        United States; and
            (2) encourages the Department of Agriculture to continue 
        promoting the health benefits of and consumption of animal-
        based protein under the science-based 2010 Dietary Guidelines 
        for Americans.
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