US Dietary Shift: Protein Surge, Sugar Plunge, Packaged Food Stocks Dip.
Overview
The U.S. has updated its federal Dietary Guidelines, revamping the food pyramid to prioritize animal-based protein and significantly cut added sugars. This policy shift, championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., targets processed foods and marks a departure from previous advice on fats. Packaged food stocks like Conagra Brands and General Mills saw declines following the announcement.
US Overhauls Dietary Guidelines, Prioritizing Protein and Cutting Sugar
The U.S. government has rolled out updated federal Dietary Guidelines, introducing a revamped food pyramid that prioritizes animal-based protein and calls for a sharp reduction in added sugar intake. The new framework also targets processed foods, signaling a significant shift in federal nutrition policy.
Kennedy Declares 'War on Sugar'
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared the update a "decisive change" that will "revolutionize the nation's food culture," announcing "Today our government declares war on added sugar." The pivot aligns with his personal nutrition tenets, emphasizing a protein-heavy diet and a stringent approach to added sugars and processed items.
Pyramid Flip and Fat Revisions
The updated food pyramid now emphasizes greater consumption of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and protein, with limited whole grains. This graphic replaces the MyPlate illustration that has guided federal nutrition advice since 2011. Notably, the guidelines shift advice on cooking fats, endorsing full-fat dairy and cooking with olive oil, butter, or beef tallow. This marks a departure from prior recommendations that favored vegetable oils over fats like butter and lard, which are higher in saturated fat.
Industry Influence and Market Reaction
The Trump administration's review involved nine outside nutrition experts, four of whom have ties to the meat or dairy industries. This composition led to perceptions of the guidelines favoring these sectors at the expense of packaged food manufacturers. Shares of packaged food companies including Conagra Brands Inc., General Mills Inc., and Kraft Heinz Co. declined in New York trading.
A USDA spokesperson stated that "all reviews underwent internal quality checks to ensure accuracy, coherence, and methodological consistency."
Specific Nutritional Revisions
The new guidelines recommend consuming no added sugars, if possible, or no more than 10 grams per meal. Daily protein intake recommendations have been significantly increased, urging Americans to aim for 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight daily, up from the current recommended 0.8 grams.
Saturated Fat Debate Continues
While Kennedy stated they were ending the "war on saturated fats," the guidelines do not alter existing limits, which advise consuming no more than 10% of daily calories from saturated fat. Some experts expressed skepticism regarding how consumers could increase animal protein intake while adhering to these saturated fat limits.
Focus on Processed Foods and Alcohol
For the first time, the guidelines specifically address highly processed foods, advising Americans to limit their consumption. The American Medical Association applauded this move, noting its importance in combating chronic illnesses. The previous recommendation for men to consume no more than two alcoholic drinks per day, and one for women, has been removed in favor of a general urging to "consume less alcohol," without specific warnings.
