New US dietary guidelines call for less sugar, more protein

2026-01-07 22:31:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The new U.S. dietary guidelines released Wednesday reflect previous advice but also include references to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" movement, urging Americans to prioritize protein and healthy fats and limit consumption of ultra-processed foods and added sugar.

"My message is clear: Eat real food," Kennedy said during a White House briefing.

The previous guidelines, released in 2020, contained nearly 150 pages of extensive advice on how to follow a healthy diet and include healthy foods in the diets of Americans of all ages. The new recommendations from HHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture fulfill Kennedy’s promise that they would be just a few pages long, but they would be supplemented with hundreds more pages of research and justification.

The latest update includes images of an inverted pyramid that places meats, cheese and vegetables at the widest part at the top, overturning a long-held view of the American diet and moving away from the circular MyPlate shape.

Officials say following the guidelines can help prevent the onset or slow the rate of progression of chronic diseases, a key theme of the MAHA movement. In addition to advice on protein, sugar and processed foods, they also tell Americans, when adding fat to meals, to favor oils with essential fatty acids, such as olive oil. Other options could include butter or lard.

The updated guidelines raised questions among some experts who worried that they placed too much emphasis on red meat and dairy products, but also received early approval from some influential voices.

“The American Medical Association applauds the Administration’s new Dietary Guidelines for putting the spotlight on highly processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and excess sodium that contribute to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases. The guidelines affirm that food is medicine and provide clear guidance that patients and physicians can use to improve health,” AMA President Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, an otolaryngologist, said in a statement.

The American Heart Association said it applauds 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 association has concerns about the protein recommendations given in the guidelines.

"We are concerned that recommendations regarding salt seasonings and red meat consumption may lead consumers to inadvertently exceed recommended limits for sodium and saturated fat, which are major contributors to cardiovascular disease. While the guidelines highlight full-fat dairy products, the Heart Association encourages the consumption of low-fat and fat-free dairy products, which may be beneficial for heart health," the AHA said in a statement, calling for more research on protein intake./ CNA, translated by CNN