A new round of debate over nutrition has erupted in the United States as authorities unveiled a revised food pyramid that challenges conventional views on healthy eating. Natural foods are now in the spotlight, while ultra-processed options face mounting criticism. Officials say this move aims to reduce healthcare costs for chronic illnesses, which they link directly to what Americans put on their plates.
In a document signed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, ultra-processed foods are, for the first time, explicitly named as a threat to national health. Instead, the new guidelines emphasize protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Notably, proteins and fats now take center stage in the new pyramid, while vegetables and grains, staples for many, have moved to the periphery.
Changing priorities
The main innovation is a sharp increase in the recommended daily protein intake: now ranging from 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight. The updated pyramid also reinstates whole dairy products and fats, which were previously seen as health hazards. The authors of the document insist it’s time to end the ‘war on fats’ and reassess long-standing dogmas.
This approach has drawn a wave of criticism from nutrition specialists. Professor Rosa María Ortega from Universidad Complutense de Madrid insists there is no scientific evidence that proteins and animal fats should be the foundation of everyone’s diet. According to her, complex carbohydrates have always formed the basis of nutrition, and reducing their intake can have negative health consequences.
Medical risks
Experts note that the new pyramid contradicts international guidelines. In particular, an emphasis on red meat, whole dairy products, and animal fats can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Nutritionist María Riestra Fernández stresses that even if sugar and ultra-processed foods are cut back, an excess of animal fats can cancel out any positive effects.
At the same time, the document gives almost no attention to legumes, a food group considered fundamental to the Mediterranean diet and long recognized as beneficial for both health and the environment. Nutritionist Aitor Sánchez García is surprised: why has such an important element been sidelined in the new pyramid?
Economics and health
The authors of the reform claim the changes will help save billions on treating chronic illnesses. According to their data, 90% of all healthcare spending in the US now goes toward combating diseases that could be prevented with proper nutrition. However, critics argue that without comprehensive measures and changes in the food industry, recommendations alone will not be enough.
Particular dissatisfaction arose from the fact that the advice of the official Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee was ignored in drafting the new pyramid. This body advocated for a higher proportion of plant-based foods and reducing animal fats, but their recommendations were not taken into account.
Mediterranean contrast
For Spain, where the Mediterranean diet is traditionally followed, the American innovations appear controversial. In the Spanish food pyramid, water, physical activity, and lifestyle are prioritized, while vegetables, fruits, and grains remain the foundation of the diet. Meat and sweets are included only in small amounts. Most European experts support this approach.
Nevertheless, American officials insist that their guidelines are based on science and common sense. However, experts believe that without real changes in the food industry and eating culture, quick results should not be expected. For now, the new pyramid remains a subject of heated debate both in the US and abroad.
