> At a Glance
> – New federal dietary guidelines replace MyPlate with inverted pyramid
> – Protein target jumps to 1.2-1.6 g/kg body weight, nearly double the old 0.8 g/kg
> – Full-fat dairy endorsed; ultra-processed foods and added sugars get red-flagged
> – Why it matters: School lunches, SNAP, and military meals will shift nationwide within two years
The Trump administration released its five-year update to U.S. dietary guidelines Wednesday, swapping the familiar MyPlate icon for a re-imagined food pyramid that elevates protein and full-fat dairy while warning against ultra-processed snacks.
What Changed on Your Plate
MyPlate-equal quarters of grains, vegetables, protein, fruit plus a dairy side-is gone. An inverted pyramid now puts protein, dairy, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables on top while nudging whole grains to the background.
Protein recommendations effectively double: the new band is 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, up from the long-standing 0.8 g/kg. Full-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt replace the prior low-fat/fat-free push, though saturated fat stays capped at <10 % of daily calories.
Mixed Reaction from Health Groups
American Medical Association praised the focus on ultra-processed foods, added sugars, and sodium, calling the advice “clear direction patients and physicians can use.”
> “The Guidelines affirm that food is medicine,” said Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, AMA president.
Marion Nestle, NYU nutrition professor emerita, applauded the limit on highly-processed foods but warned the protein emphasis “makes no sense” and will make the saturated-fat target “impossible” to meet.
What to Limit-or Skip
- Added sugars: ≤10 g per meal; watch for “-ose” words and syrups on labels
- Ultra-processed snacks: chips, cookies, candy singled out in favor of nutrient-dense, home-cooked options
- Sodium: unchanged at <2,300 mg/day for ages 14+
- Alcohol: no daily drink limits; guidance now reads “drink less alcohol for better overall health”
| Nutrient | Old Guideline | New Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 0.8 g/kg | 1.2-1.6 g/kg |
| Dairy Type | Low/fat-free | Full-fat OK |
| Added Sugar | <10 % calories | ≤10 g per meal |
| Alcohol | 1 (women)/2 (men) drinks/day | “Drink less” |
The updated standards will roll out to schools, military menus, and federal programs like SNAP over the next two years, a White House spokesperson confirmed.
Key Takeaways
- Expect bigger meat and cheese portions in federally funded meals
- Added-sugar labels will matter more than total sugar counts
- Saturated-fat debate continues: AMA accepts <10 %, American Heart Association pushes <6 %
- Alcohol advice shifts from rigid caps to open-ended “drink less”
The guidelines, issued jointly by the Departments of Agriculture and Health & Human Services, land as Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promotes his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda-ushering in the biggest visual and nutritional shake-up to federal food policy since MyPlate debuted in 2011.
