Background on the Trump Administration’s New Nutritional Guidelines
The Trump administration recently released new federal nutritional guidelines that prioritize protein from red meat and dairy while discouraging added sugars and highly processed foods. This shift in focus has sparked mixed reactions from nutritionists and public health advocates.
Key Changes in the New Guidelines
- Emphasis on Protein: The new guidelines place proteins, including red meat and dairy, on par with fruits and vegetables.
- Downplay of Processed Sugars: The guidelines continue to advise against added sugars.
- Position of Whole Grains: Whole grains like oatmeal are ranked lower in the new hierarchy.
Reactions from Nutritionists and Public Health Advocates
The response to the new guidelines has been varied:
- Positive Aspects: Many nutritionists, including Marion Nestle, a retired New York University nutrition professor, support the advice to limit highly processed foods.
- Concerns about Animal Protein and Dairy: Critics, like Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, argue that the new guidelines overemphasize animal protein, full-fat dairy, and butter. Lurie claims this undermines science-based dietary advice.
Nestle described the new guidelines as “confusing, contradictory, ideological, and very retro,” but still endorsed the recommendation to reduce processed foods.
Current Dietary Landscape in the United States
According to federal data, highly processed foods account for approximately 55% of the calories consumed by the average American. These processed foods include baked goods, packaged sweets, salty snacks, and sodas.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the new nutritional guidelines from the Trump administration? The new guidelines prioritize protein from red meat and dairy, placing them on the same level as fruits and vegetables. They continue to advise against added sugars and highly processed foods.
- Why are nutritionists divided on these new guidelines? While many support the advice to limit processed foods, there is concern that the new guidelines overemphasize animal protein and dairy, which contradicts science-based dietary advice.
- What percentage of calories in the average American diet comes from highly processed foods? Federal data indicates that approximately 55% of calories in the average American diet come from highly processed foods.
