> At a Glance
> – New U.S. dietary guidelines released Wednesday encourage more protein and full-fat dairy
> – MyPlate is replaced by an inverted pyramid that de-emphasizes grains
> – Added sugar capped at 10 grams per meal; ultra-processed foods discouraged
> – Why it matters: The guidelines shape school lunches, SNAP, and military meals for 60 million Americans
The Trump administration has unveiled the first overhaul of federal nutrition advice in five years, swapping the familiar MyPlate icon for a reimagined pyramid that prioritizes protein, dairy, and healthy fats over grains.
What Changed
The Departments of Agriculture and Health & Human Services released the guidelines Wednesday. A new visual replaces MyPlate’s equal-quarter split of grains, vegetables, protein, and fruit with a pyramid that puts protein, dairy, and fats on top.
Protein targets nearly doubled, jumping from 0.8 grams to 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight. Full-fat dairy returns after years of low-fat-only advice. Whole grains slide down the priority list.
The Controversy
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the shift as “common sense,” yet the guidance keeps saturated fat capped below 10 % of daily calories-creating a tension experts were quick to note.
Marion Nestle, professor emerita at NYU, wrote:
> “The protein focus makes no sense (Americans eat plenty) other than as an excuse to advise more meat and dairy, full fat, which will make it impossible to keep saturated fat to 10 % of calories or less.”
The American Heart Association recommends an even stricter 6 % limit, citing heart-disease risk.
What Stayed the Same
Sodium advice is unchanged: 2,300 mg max for most adults, less for kids. Alcohol guidance loosens-dropping the one-drink (women) and two-drink (men) daily caps in favor of “drink less for better health.”
| Nutrient | Old Target | New Target |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 0.8 g/kg body weight | 1.2-1.6 g/kg body weight |
| Saturated Fat | < 10 % of calories | < 10 % of calories |
| Added Sugar | 10 % of daily calories | ≤ 10 g per meal |
| Sodium | 2,300 mg (14+) | 2,300 mg (14+) |
Real-World Impact
The guidelines dictate what’s served in:
- 30 million school lunches daily
- 1.3 billion military meals each year
- 40 million SNAP recipients’ benefit packages
A White House spokesperson said the new standards will be phased into federal food programs over the next two years.
Dr. Bobby Mukkamala of the American Medical Association applauded the spotlight on ultra-processed foods:
> “The Guidelines affirm that food is medicine and offer clear direction patients and physicians can use to improve health.”
Key Takeaways
- Expect more meat, cheese, and whole-milk yogurt on cafeteria trays by 2026
- Added-sugar labels will need to highlight syrups and “-ose” ingredients
- Frozen produce wins praise if no sugar is added
- Alcohol limits disappear, replaced by a general “drink less” nudge
The revised pyramid marks the administration’s biggest imprint on federal nutrition policy since the 2020 guidelines, setting the table for debates on Capitol Hill and dinner tables across America.
