(WDNews) — The White House rolled out updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans on Wednesday, unveiling a new, upside-down food pyramid that places vegetables, fruits, protein, dairy and healthy fats at the top, with whole grains shown at the bottom.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called the update a major shift in federal nutrition policy, saying the new approach emphasizes “whole, nutrient-dense food” as a path to better health and lower health care costs.
Administration officials said the guidance focuses on building meals around produce, proteins and healthy fats while pushing Americans to cut back on added sugars and highly processed foods. The guidelines also highlight “nutrient-dense” swaps in everyday shopping, such as choosing unsweetened cereals over frosted options and selecting low-sodium canned items instead of regular versions.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the guidelines will shape food served in public schools, the military and veterans’ facilities, and could influence federal nutrition programs including WIC and Head Start. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the recommendations apply to whole foods whether they are fresh, frozen, canned or dried.
Despite Kennedy’s repeated comments favoring saturated fats, the guidelines keep the long-standing recommendation to limit saturated fat to 10% of daily calories. Federal health officials also addressed alcohol, with the updated guidance urging people to drink less for better overall health and noting some groups should not drink at all.
Reaction was mixed. Some health advocates said the guidelines do the right thing by maintaining limits on saturated fat but argued the recommendations promote meat and dairy too strongly. The dairy industry praised the update, saying the guidance recognizes evidence that dairy products at all fat levels can fit into healthy eating patterns.
Federal officials said the new framework and supporting materials are posted online at realfood.gov.
Photo courtesy of realfood.gov
