“We are ending the war on saturated fats … Today, our government declares war on added sugar.”
On Jan. 7, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines, which put more emphasis on protein and drove down the idea of ultra processed foods. He claimed, “As Secretary of Health and Human Services, my message is clear: eat real food!”
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins touted the new guidelines for prioritizing whole nutrient-dense foods. She went on to say, “That means more protein, more dairy, more healthy fats, more whole grains, more fruits and vegetables, whether they are fresh, frozen, canned or dry. We are finally putting real food back at the center of the American diet.”
Kennedy went on to say that this revised food pyramid is “the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in history.” The Dietary Guidelines influence school lunches, medical advice and nutrition standards. It’s a small step in the right direction.
He continued to emphasize the need for more meat in diets, saying, “proteins and healthy fats are essential, and were wrongly discouraged in the prior dietary guidelines.”
Every five years, the Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA publish new guidelines. In the 2020 guidelines, there were more than 160 pages. These new guidelines are wildly condensed down to just 10 pages, but then supplemented with references and sourced research.
In the opening text, the guidelines state, “We are realigning our food system to support American farmers, ranchers, and companies who grow and produce real food—and the Trump administration is working to ensure all families can afford it.”
They also claim that nearly 90% of health care spending goes to treating people who have chronic diseases, with most of these as a result of poor diets with a sedentary lifestyle over time.
The report continues, “The consequences have been devastating. More than 70% of American adults are overweight or obese. Nearly one in three American adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 has prediabetes. Diet-driven chronic disease now disqualifies large numbers of young Americans from military service, undermining national readiness and cutting off a historic pathway to opportunity and upward mobility.
“For decades, federal incentives have promoted low-quality, highly processed foods and pharmaceutical intervention instead of prevention. This crisis is the result of poor policy choices; inadequate nutrition research; and a lack of coordination across federal, state, local, and private partners. This changes today.”
Kennedy and Rollins took the traditional “pyramid” look and completely flipped it upside down. Literally. The graphic shown in the new report is an upside-down pyramid with proteins, fruits and vegetables on top, ending at the bottom point with whole grains.
Kennedy went on to say how former policy had turned a blind eye to the disastrous consequences or promoting and subsidizing highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates. He said, “New guidelines recognize that whole nutrient-dense food is the most effective path to better health and lower health care costs.”
According to a USA Today article, more than half of the calories consumed at home come from ultra-processed foods (UPFs), citing the National Center for Health Statistics. These UPFs have been associated with more than 30 health conditions from diabetes, heart disease, mental health disorders and obesity. In the report, it states, “avoid highly processed packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat, or other foods that are salty or sweet … that have added sugars and sodium. Instead, prioritize nutrient-dense foods and home-prepared meals.”
The American Medical Association (AMA) applauded the new guidelines. In a statement, AMA President Bobby Mukkamala said, “The American Medical Association (AMA) applauds the Administration’s new Dietary Guidelines for spotlighting the highly processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and excess sodium that fuel heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses. The Guidelines affirm that food is medicine and offer clear direction patients and physicians can use to improve health.
“Today the AMA is making significant commitments to improve clinical competency, deliver educational resources for physicians, and work with Congress to enact meaningful, lasting nutrition change that can improve lives. The AMA is focused on helping physicians translate this science into everyday care and helping patients improve their overall health.”
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.
This is all great news for farmers, ranchers and food growers. However, the school lunch programs are currently not equipped to scratch-make meals for children. This will be an area of impact that needs to be monitored. According to the School Nutrition Association (SNA), more than 93% of schools cited the need for more staff, culinary training, equipment and infrastructure to reduce reliance on UPFs. Meals served in school are required to meet federal nutrition standards. In response to the new guidelines, the SNA emphasized the need for increased funding for school meal programs.
While the current administration has had a back-and-forth relationship with ranchers this past fall, this is continued support from USDA and Health and Human Services Departments. These guidelines will have a lasting impact and retrain the idea of what the health guidelines should look like. The challenge now is implementation and following through on these promises. — LOGAN IPSEN
