The USDA Releases A New Food Pyramid & Dietary Guidelines For Americans
There is a lot going on in the world right now, especially in the United States, and in the middle of a lot of political debate surrounding President Trump's second term, the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with Robert F. Kennedy, Secretary of Health, released some new "dietary guidelines."
In the past, Americans were shown suggested examples of a balanced diet through a food pyramid, often ranking whole grains as the best foundation, with fats and oils being at the very top. In 2011, the pyramid model, which many found confusing, was ditched and replaced with MyPlate, an illustration that displayed how a balanced meal can be constructed on a dinner plate, including vegetables, proteins, fruits, and grains.
The MyPlate was the standard since then, but now, the food pyramid is back, with the USDA adding an emphasis on "whole, healthy, and nutritious foods" for Americans.
"To Make America Healthy Again, we must return to the basics. American households must prioritize diets built on whole, nutrient-dense foods—protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains," the USDA wrote. "Paired with a dramatic reduction in highly processed foods laden with refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives, this approach can change the health trajectory for so many Americans."
Abbey Sharp Shares Her 'Honest' Thoughts On The New Guidelines
The registered dietitian had a lot to say about the new dietary guidelines set by the USDA, as well as the bringing back of the food pyramid, which she says looks "chaotic."
"The graphics are pretty much the least of my concerns here, because the actual nutrition recommendations here are essentially opposite to that of the long-standing best research," she says in her TikTok video.
Abbey notes that the new guidelines and pyramid are more deceptive than they seem, as they seem to be "pushing" more "animal-based" protein and fat, with less emphasis on fiber-rich, nutritious fruits and vegetables. After all, since they were released, the new Health Secretary has been making a lot of statements and social media posts about how Americans need to drink more whole milk.
"Here is the truth that every dietitian and doctor needs you to know," she continues. "If Americans want to be healthy again, they need to eat more fiber. 95% of North Americans are not meeting the minimum amounts needed to thrive. And, colon cancer rates are on the rise. So, foods like whole grains, which got relegated to the bottom of this pyramid, along with plant-based proteins, are critical sources of these nutrients that we should be promoting loudly."
The dietitian also notes that the new guidelines and pyramid put a strong emphasis on meat, and while getting in enough protein is important, she has seen through statistics that Americans are getting "plenty" of protein, and "exceeding" their protein limits through animal proteins. One of the few aspects on which Abbey can agree is that Americans should strive to "reduce" their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods.
"In conclusion, this new guide, and the documents that support it, read a lot more like a biohacking bros, wellness culture bingo card, than an evidence-based nutrition guide for the masses," she adds.
In her video's caption, Abbey adds that the new system "will not make America healthy again."