Trump admin flips the food pyramid on its head
Image: RealFood.gov
The Trump administration announced new federal dietary guidelines yesterday that recommend Americans eat more protein and dairy, and formally advise against highly processed foods for the first time.
The once-every-five-year update replaces the US government’s previous MyPlate visual guide for what foods to eat, which recommended that Americans fill their plate with roughly equal parts grains, vegetables, protein, and fruit, plus a small portion of dairy.
A new food pyramid
Under the Trump admin’s guidelines, presented by Health Secretary RFK Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, an updated version of the food pyramid has returned. Proteins, full-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats (like olive oil) are lumped together at the top, with whole grains at the bottom.
- The new guidance particularly emphasizes protein at every meal, and encourages as much as 0.75 daily grams of protein per pound of body weight—twice the previous recommended amount.
- It also abandons previous daily recommended limits on alcohol (1 or 2 drinks/day, depending on gender), in favor of more general advice to “limit alcohol beverages” without suggesting a specific cap.
Outside experts react
The American Medical Association applauded the new guidance for spotlighting ultraprocessed foods, added sugars, and sodium, which it says fuel chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
- The American Heart Association said it commends the emphasis on eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while limiting consumption of added sugars, refined grains, highly processed foods, saturated fats, and sugary drinks.
- But the AHA also expressed concern that new guidance promoting red meat and salt seasoning could inadvertently cause people to exceed the recommended limits for sodium and saturated fat.
Looking ahead…The dietary guideline updates will be reflected in federal nutrition programs—including school meals and SNAP benefits—over the next two years, directly affecting ~1 in 4 Americans.
📊 Flash poll: In general, do you agree with the Trump admin’s changes to the federal dietary guidelines?
See a 360° view of what pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that the US government and RFK Jr. are hypocritical in their pledge to improve public health with “real food,” and contend that if he really wanted to make Americans healthy again, his agency wouldn’t have scaled back vaccine recommendations for US kids.
- Others contend that Trump admin’s new nutrition advice is overall very sensible, especially in regards to emphasizing fruits and vegetables, prioritizing whole foods, and exposing kids to allergens early—but it also contains a few weird recommendations that don’t make sense for everyone.
- “The Food Pyramid Is Not America’s Biggest Health Problem” –Jessica Karl, Bloomberg
- “Kennedy Is Telling Americans How to Eat. It’s Not Crazy Advice.” –Dr. Emily Oster, NY Times
- “Nation’s dietary guidelines in danger of losing their scientific backbone” –Joy Dubost, InsideSources
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the new guidelines represent the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in our nation’s history, and are long overdue in a time when Americans are more unhealthy than ever before, largely due to their poor diets.
- Others contend that while the US government’s new advice turns the food pyramid on its head, it’s only a matter of time before scientists and health experts change their mind and the foods on top now find themselves back at the bottom.
- “New dietary plan recommends real food for all Americans” –Health Secretary RFK Jr. & Agricultural Secretary Brooke Rollins
- “Am I Supposed to Eat Eggs or Not?” –Matthew Hennessey, WSJ
- “Three ways the Trump administration can make America healthy again” –Nina Teicholz, Washington Times
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