US dietary guidelines emphasize animal protein

The new American dietary guidelines recommend full-fat dairy, as well as meat as an important source of protein. In the US, there is no warning against consuming large amounts of processed and red meat. The daily prescribed amount of protein also stands out. US Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy calls the new guidelines the biggest reset of nutritional policy in history. The newly advised diet speaks out against highly processed foods and recommends eating more protein and fat. The communication places a particular emphasis on animal products. However, the specific recommendations turn out to be much more nuanced. In April, the Dutch nutrition center will come out with a renewed advice, which will place more emphasis on plant-based protein sources. The plate used in the latest American guidelines to concretize food portions has been set aside, and the famous yet infamous food pyramid from 1992 is being dusted off again. This time, the pyramid is turned upside down to show that the original pyramid would approach the proportions completely incorrectly. Additionally, it is advised to eat 'real food', meaning to avoid products with a high degree of processing, such as refined carbohydrates. The new pyramid resembles a ketogenic diet the most, where as few carbohydrates as possible and a lot of fat and protein are consumed. The most remarkable change is that proteins and fats form the base category of the new guidelines. There is a significant focus on higher protein intake. The recommended amount of protein rises to 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight. Previously, the common standard in medical science was 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. It is also advised to consume substantial amounts of protein products from both animal and plant origins. 'War against saturated fat is over' This product category is now very broad and includes meat, dairy, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, among others. Additionally, Kennedy states that the war against saturated fat is definitively over. To emphasize this, it is now advised to also consume full-fat dairy. This group of products forms the foundation of the advised diet, which means that consumers should derive the most from it. The second category that directly follows is vegetables and fruits. The third and smallest category depicted in the new pyramid is grains. When we zoom in on the recommendations, broken down by nutrients, the advice is less revolutionary than expected. Although products with high amounts of saturated fat can now be found in the pyramid and Kennedy states that the war against saturated fat is over, the advice to derive a maximum of 10% of daily calorie intake from saturated fat remains. Additionally, the recommended number of servings of dairy remains the same. It is also notable that controversial product groups, which Kennedy has previously spoken negatively about, such as oils derived from seeds and meat and dairy substitutes, do not appear at all in the new recommendations. Although they are not mentioned as positive examples, such products are generally within the guidelines, provided they have a low degree of processing. Meat sector benefits Although research shows that by far the majority of Americans do not consult the dietary guidelines, changes in dietary advice almost always translate directly into consequences for the American agricultural market. The recommendations influence which foods qualify for various government programs, such as school lunches. Additionally, as many as one in eight Americans receives food assistance in the form of food stamps, and the guidelines determine which products can be purchased with these stamps. Given the inconsistency between the guidelines and the public communication about them, it is harder than in previous changes to exactly predict the market effects, but a few things seem clear already. The expectation is that especially the meat sector will benefit from the new guidelines. At the same time, the recommendations seem to have adverse effects on producers of industrial raw materials such as corn and seeds for vegetable oils. Nutrition Center emphasizes differences The Dutch nutrition center has analyzed the new American guidelines. It states that there are clear similarities with their upcoming recommendations, but that they also have a different perspective on certain points. The new American dietary guidelines show many points of similarity with the Dutch advice. Both guidelines emphasize the importance of eating the right amount and paying attention to portion size, especially with products that are high in calories. They also advise eating more vegetables and fruits and choosing whole grain products. Additionally, health organizations agree that highly processed products high in sugar and salt should be avoided and that soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages are better not consumed. At the same time, the Nutrition Center points out clear differences. In the Netherlands, the emphasis is on a more plant-based diet with fewer animal products, while the American guidelines recommend more animal products. Furthermore, a much higher protein intake is advised in the US. Additionally, the nutrition center does not consider saturated fats from meat and dairy as healthy fats.