RFK, Jr., Upsets Food Pyramid, Urging Americans to Eat More Meat

"On Wednesday Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released new official guidance that effectively overturns the food pyramid. The recommendations encourage Americans to eat real food and to consume more saturated-fat-rich foods such as red meat and whole-fat dairy. The dietary guidelines inform U.S. nutrition policy, shaping dozens of federal feeding programs, including meals for the military and school lunches."

"We commend the [guidelines'] inclusion of the Academy's evidence-based policy related to breastfeeding, introduction of solid foods, caffeine avoidance and limits on added sugars, said AAP president Andrew Racine. Yet the new guidelines' inclusion of red meat and animal fats contradict decades' worth of past recommendations and scientific evidence that had directed people to eat less saturated fats and more unsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil."

The Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued new dietary guidance promoting whole foods and increased consumption of saturated-fat-rich items such as red meat and whole-fat dairy. The guidance will influence federal nutrition programs, including school meals and military food service. The American Academy of Pediatrics praised guidance elements on breastfeeding, solid food introduction, caffeine avoidance, and added-sugar limits. The guidance also states no more than 10 percent of calories should come from saturated fat and recommends limiting highly processed foods. The guidance opposes ultraprocessed foods and seed oils, while many experts warn increased animal-derived saturated fat raises cardiovascular risk.

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