Inside the 'MAHA' dietary guidelines in the upside-down food pyramid released by the White House under the leadership of the US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
On January 7, 2026, US Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins joined hands to drop an unexpected overhaul of federal dietary guidelines for Americans. The White House released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, leaving most US citizens shocked. The reason is the massive changes made by RFK Jr. and Brooke Rollins to the dietary guidance, which looks completely different from what most Americans had been following for decades.
As soon as the dietary guide was released, it became a topic of widespread discussion online. From X to Instagram and Reddit, people and critics labelled the “MAHA” (Make America Healthy Again) movement as an “upside-down food pyramid”. The massive change in the dietary guidelines also reflects on Kennedy’s long-stated belief that the American diet has lost touch with sound nutrition and real food. As a result, it is extremely important for U.S. citizens to reset their dietary habits to make America healthy again.
Soon after releasing the new dietary guidelines, U.S. health Officials clearly stated that highly processed foods are contributing significantly to a national health crisis. According to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, more than 70 per cent of American adults are overweight, and nearly one in three adolescents has prediabetes. Not only is this, close to 90 per cent of US health care spending is spent on treating chronic diseases that are directly linked to poor diet and lifestyle.
Now, without further ado, let’s discuss the updated dietary guidelines and the core message. For the uninitiated, US Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins, have carefully stitched together an updated food pyramid that strongly urges Americans to eat whole and minimally processed foods. The upside-down diet pyramid also advised US citizens to put nutrient-dense food at the centre of daily eating. The return of the food pyramid, with an inverted twist, places proteins, healthy fats, vegetables, fruits, and dairy at the top.
On the flip side, refined carbohydrates and whole grains are reduced, even though Americans have widely consumed them for decades. The new food guide suggests that Americans aim for 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Also, encouraging US citizens to choose full-fat dairy options with less sugar, something Americans are not used to, as they’ve always favoured low-fat and fat-free products. A strong emphasis on vegetables, fruits, eggs, seafood, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats from whole-food sources such as olives and avocados can be incorporated into the new American diet.
US Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly declared an end to the decade-long debate on healthy fats with his upside-down pyramid. According to the latest guidelines, saturated fats are limited to 10 per cent of daily calories, while traditional fats such as olive oil, beef tallow, and butter are explicitly allowed, along with nuts and avocados. When it comes to alcohol consumption, less is better is the new mantra for Americans.
The dietary guidelines will inform federal nutrition programmes and public understanding. Meanwhile, Americans are left with mixed emotions as they grapple with long-debated nutrition questions, an unprecedented shift in their diet, and a new pyramid to understand. There’s no denying that it is inarguably the most talked-about public health move in the last few decades.
What are your thoughts on the new diet guide for Americans? Let us know.
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