More Steak, Fewer Grains: What the Latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines Really Mean

The health crisis in the USA

The USA, like Europe, has been struggling for years with a significant rise in chronic diseases. According to Kennedy and his supporters, the new pyramid is a logical response to this health emergency, characterized by high rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

The pyramid is now upside down

The most noticeable change compared to earlier: At the top now are protein, meat, cheese, and milk, along with vegetables and fruits. The direction is clear: less carbohydrates, more protein.

• Meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products are in the center.  

• Whole grain plays an Supporting role.  

• Fats from meat, eggs, fish, nuts, olives, and avocados are considered healthy. For cooking, Olive oil, butter, and beef tallow recommended.

• You should keep your fingers off of: heavily processed foods, sweet or salty products, or products with artificial additives and added sugar. 

• The overarching message is: "Mangez de la vraie nourriture", also eat as unprocessed, natural foods as possible. Because high consumption of these is associated with more deaths, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and depression. In the USA, around 57 percent of calories come from ultra-processed products.

But will these recommendations actually revolutionize nutrition or make Americans healthy again as desired by politics?

Our evaluation of the new US food pyramid: Which recommendations might be useful

• Focus on nutrient-rich foods: The nutrition pyramid places more emphasis on foods with a high micronutrient density. Vitamins, trace elements, and secondary plant compounds form the basis for a healthy metabolism and contribute to well-being and health in the long term.  

• Real, unprocessed foods: The principle "Eat real food" motivates to cook more often and use fresh ingredients. Those who prepare their meals themselves have to worry less about calorie counts and actively support their own health at the same time.

• Fresh vegetables as the top priority: Vegetables are clearly highlighted as a central component. Studies repeatedly show that a high intake of vegetables is one of the most effective measures for long-term health.

• The protein focus when diversity is considered: Instead of the previous recommendation of 0.8 grams per kg of body weight, 1.2 to 1.6 grams per day are now suggested. What does this mean concretely? For a 60 kg woman, that would mean 96 grams of protein per day instead of 48 grams. Converted to chicken breast fillet, this corresponds to about 420 g daily, instead of around 210 g according to the previous recommendation. Relying solely on meat here is not the best choice. Eating more protein can be sensible, but balance is crucial. It is important not to eat more meat unilaterally but to combine various sources, especially plant-based ones. With plant-based protein sources, adequate fiber intake is better ensured at the same time.

• ​Gut health mentioned for the first time: On the positive side, the topic of gut health is being explicitly addressed for the first time. Fiber is emphasized, as is the consumption of fermented foods. However, visually, these are found more at the top of the pyramid, contrary to the textual recommendation.

Really eat more meat? What you should also know about it

• Strong focus on animal-based foods: Plant-based protein sources and fiber-rich foods hardly receive any visual emphasis. The representation focuses on animal products, while legumes, for example, do not appear at all. Meanwhile, we know from numerous studies², that plant-based proteins can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

• Dairy products three times daily: The recommendation does not take into account that a large portion of the population is lactose intolerant. Plant-based alternatives, which often have a very good nutrient profile, are not mentioned.

• Contradictory fat recommendations: Saturated fats should make up a maximum of 10 percent of daily calories. At the same time, meat is high up in the pyramid - foods often with a high content of saturated fatty acids. This inconsistent message is criticized by many nutrition experts, as it is not clear how these recommendations should be practically implemented. Meat from good sources, consumed consciously and in moderation, can be part of a balanced diet. However, unreflective consumption - which the new presentation encourages - can increase the intake of saturated fats and, in the long term, raise the risk for numerous diseases.

• Protein quantity and presentation: The recommendation of 1.2–1.6 g of protein per kilogram of body weight can make sense. However, the visual implementation of the pyramid gives the impression that consuming large amounts of animal products is the right way to achieve this.

• Possible conflicts of interest: According to reports, some members of the committee have financial ties to the beef and dairy industries. This echoes criticism that was made of the previous food pyramid – at the time in relation to the grain industry.

What does this mean for our daily life?

The new US food pyramid is expected to have a significant impact in the coming years – on school and community catering, on research priorities, and in the long term also on international dietary recommendations. US guidelines often extend far beyond national borders and eventually find their way into European and German recommendations.

​Instead of demonizing or overrating individual food groups, what remains crucial is how balanced, varied, and consciously we eat. A diet rich in vegetables, fiber, and plant-based foods, complemented by high-quality animal products in moderation, continues to align with the best scientific knowledge. The new US pyramid can therefore provide stimuli – but it should be critically evaluated and not adopted unreflectively.