WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is “turning the food pyramid upside down” with new guidelines for feeding programs that will emphasize eating plenty of protein and saturated fats — while discouraging the consumption of sugar and highly processed foods.

The White House released the revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans as part of a news conference Wednesday with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins touting potential benefits in reducing chronic diseases for all Americans.

“We are ending the war on saturated fats,” Kennedy said — referring to products that are generally solid at room temperature like cheese, butter and fat in meats, which now are recommended to form the bulk of diets alongside meat and produce like carrots and broccoli.

The Trump administration is “turning the food pyramid upside down” with new guidelines for feeding programs that will emphasize eating plenty of protein and healthy fats. USDA

The recommendations will directly impact millions of daily meals served in America’s public schools, military bases, prisons and various federal facilities.

“Today our government declares war on added sugar. Highly processed food loaded with additives — added sugar and excess salt — damage health and should be avoided,” Kennedy declared at the briefing.

“Diets rich in vegetables and fruits reduce disease risk more effectively than many drugs. Whole grains outperform refined carbohydrates,” he added.

“These guidelines replace corporate-driven assumptions [and] will revolutionize our nation’s food culture and make America healthy again.”

Kennedy, a former Democrat who endorsed Trump in 2024 and followed him into office with a “Make America Healthy Again” mantra, said prior food guidelines were the result of corporate influence, without specifying which firms allegedly benefited.

“The hard truth is our government has been lying to us to protect corporate profit-taking, telling us that these food-like substances were beneficial to public health,” Kennedy said.

High-quality proteins like poultry, red meat and beans; fats from eggs or dairy; fruits, vegetable and “fiber-rich” whole grains are promoted in the new guidelines. vladimirkolens – stock.adobe.com

A major goal of the so-called “whole food framework” will be “reducing health care costs,” as the US has seen surging rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. baibaz – stock.adobe.com

New dietary guideline food pyramid released by the USDA Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. USDA

“Today the lies stop. The new guidelines recognize that whole, nutrient-dense food is the most effective path to better health and lower healthcare costs. Protein and healthy fats are essential and were wrongfully discouraged in prior dietary guidelines.”

High-quality proteins like poultry, red meat and beans; fats from eggs or dairy; fruits, vegetable and “fiber-rich” whole grains are in — and starchy carbs such as white bread, crackers, or “sugar-sweetened” beverages as well as pre-packaged and ready-to-eat treats like chips, cookies and fast food are out.

A major goal of the so-called “whole food framework” will be “reducing health care costs,” as the US has seen surging rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases that are costing taxpayers roughly $600 billion per year, according to a White House fact sheet.

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At least 78% of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants are also on Medicaid, per the fact sheet, and administration officials expect the nation’s chronic disease rate could be “dramatically” lowered if different incentives are made.

Officials said the shift won’t directly alter SNAP, which is overseen by Congress and feeds more than 40 million Americans, but will become the gold standard for “over 100 government feeding programs in over 10 government agencies.”

“We have five times higher obesity rates than any other country in the developed world,” one official said. “This is because of our diet.”

Kennedy’s MAHA movement gained traction during his 2024 bid for the presidency — and he’s since extolled the benefits of protein-rich diets while in office.

In a March 2025 visit to West Virginia, the health secretary gave a few diet tips and even offered to be the personal trainer of Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

In a March 2025 visit to West Virginia, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave a few diet tips and even offered to be the personal trainer of Gov. Patrick Morrisey. Getty Images

The Trump White House’s fact sheet faulted the Biden administration for backtracking on addressing chronic diseases and improving Americans’ diets by making equity the “central prism” of all nutritional guidelines. Getty Images

“The first time I saw him, I said, ‘You look like you ate Governor Morrisey,’” RFK said in a joint appearance with the governor of America’s fattest state. “I am going to put him on a really rigorous regimen, and we’re gonna put him on a carnivore diet.”

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association, celebrated the move in a statement noting the organization is “focused on helping physicians translate this science into everyday care and helping patients improve their overall health.

“The American Medical Association applauds the Administration’s new Dietary Guidelines for spotlighting the highly processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and excess sodium that fuel heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses,” Mukkamala continued. “The Guidelines affirm that food is medicine and offer clear direction patients and physicians can use to improve health.”

White bread, crackers, or “sugar-sweetened” beverages as well as pre-packaged and ready-to-eat chips, cookies and fast food are out. monticellllo – stock.adobe.com

The AMA will also “work with Congress to enact meaningful, lasting nutrition change that can improve lives,” its president noted, and provide additional educational resources for medical students and doctors as well as host roundtables to “make it easier for physicians to talk to patients about the role of food in preventing, and even treating, chronic disease.”

The Department of Agriculture previously switched from the food pyramid to MyPlate with then-first lady Michelle Obama and then-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2011, which began de-emphasizing the foundation of carbohydrates in a balanced diet.

The Trump White House’s fact sheet faulted the Biden administration for backtracking on addressing chronic diseases and improving Americans’ diets by making equity the “central prism” of all nutritional guidelines.

“We reject this logic: a common-sense, science-driven document is essential to begin a conversation about how our culture and food procurement programs must change to enable Americans to access affordable, healthy, real food,” the sheet stated.

“The Trump administration welcomes all stakeholders to be part of this conversation in the coming year.”