In January 2026, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, issued a new “food pyramid,” the required five-year update entitled the “2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”
The new food pyramid is a significant change from previous federal nutritional guidance that was grounded on decades of evidence-based nutritional and metabolic research. The new pyramid is considered an “upside-down” version of previous models, including the more recent “MyPlate” adaptation. It prioritizes protein, healthy fats, vegetables, and fruits at the wide top and positions whole grains at the bottom narrow tip.
Kennedy developed the new guidance out of public view, using a panel appointed by him rather than utilizing traditional independent expert input. Kennedy has criticized previous recommendations as being influenced by the food industry; yet half of the members of his new panel have financial relationships with the food, beef, dairy, and supplement industries.
Consistent with Kennedy’s previous health recommendations (for example, the childhood vaccine schedule, COVID and influenza recommendations, and Tylenol use in pregnancy), portions of the new guidelines are confusing and conflictual, emphasizing research consistent with his views while ignoring or minimizing unsupportive research.
That said, there are many positive aspects to the new pyramid, and it adds detail never before included. Kennedy’s pyramid:
- Emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods and strongly discourages ultra-processed and packaged foods high in added salt and with chemical additives, including artificial flavorings, nitrites, petroleum-based dyes, and artificial preservatives.
- Encourages fruits and vegetables, which contain fiber, micronutrients, and anti-inflammatory components.
- Strongly discourages refined grains and other refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, and other foods high in added sugar and “junk foods.”
- Promotes healthy fats from olives, avocados, nuts, and seeds.
- Supports cooking oils that contain essential fatty acids; examples include olive oil and canola oil.
However, concerningly, the new pyramid:
- Recommends greater amounts of protein at every meal than previously recommended. This includes proteins from plant sources such as beans, legumes, and nuts, as well as animal proteins from poultry and seafood, but also from eggs and red meat. There is little evidence that higher protein intake provides health benefits other than in strength training. It can even lead to worsening of chronic kidney disease and conversion to visceral fat, which increases diabetes risk in some people.
My concern with eggs and red meat is that they contain high amounts of saturated fat, which can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis. Decades of research confirm this.
Kennedy states, nonetheless, that “We are ending the war on saturated fats.” Saturated fat from animal sources, including red meat, eggs, butter, and beef tallow, is emphasized and considered one of the healthy fats. But the new guidelines send mixed messaging by simultaneously advising that saturated fat remain below the previously recommended 10 percent of total calories.
- Emphasizes full-fat dairy such as whole milk and cheese. Again, my concern is with the amount of saturated fats in whole dairy products. However, concern over the consumption of whole-fat dairy in people without cholesterol problems is somewhat controversial.
These are more than just guidelines; they also form policy frameworks for nutritional programs accepting federal funding.
Endorsements by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Cardiology carefully highlight only the positive aspects of the new nutritional guidelines as outlined above.
Although there are many positive aspects to the new nutritional guidelines, I remain uneasy, mostly about the new pyramid’s promotion of saturated fats.
Richard D. Feldman, M.D. is an Indianapolis family physician and former Indiana State Health Commissioner who served in the administration of Governor Frank O’Bannon.