01/09/2026
This is a great summary of the new recommendations from our COPC friends
The USDA has released its most current version of dietary recommendations for Americans and as you can see, they kind of flipped the old Food Pyramid on its head.
There is a lot to like with these new guidelines. For example the first statement in these guidelines is, "The message is simple: eat real food." The guidelines make a strong point of avoiding highly processed foods and focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods—protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats. There have been some criticisms of the renewed emphasis on red meat and whole milk and I can't say that I am a big fan of beef tallow. However, I feel that this is a minor issue and less important than the overall message. Also, the new guidelines do still include a long held recommendation to limit saturated fat to 10% of your daily calories. In response to these changes, the American Heart Association does encourage consumers to "prioritize plant-based proteins, seafood and lean meats and to limit high-fat animal products including red meat, butter, lard and tallow, which are linked to increased cardiovascular risk."
