The scientists who will develop the next round of official dietary guidance held their first meeting last week amid promises by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enhance transparency and scientific rigor in writing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Twenty scientists – the largest number ever – make up the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.  Their meeting March 28 and 29, the first of five that are planned, was mostly devoted to procedural matters, but also afforded committee members a chance to ask questions of the USDA and Department of Health and Human Services professionals who will staff the committee.

There were also several expert presentations — one of these identified eggs as a leading “carrier” for vegetables. Since vegetables are notoriously under-consumed in the American diet, eggs’ role in increasing veggie intake (for example, a spinach and mushroom omelet) could put eggs in a favorable light for the committee.