12 Foods Americans Should Eat More Of, According to Trump's New Nutrition Guidelines
The U.S. government has been issuing nutrition guidelines since the late 1800s, with a focus on moderation and variety. The guidelines have evolved over time, from the 1916 USDA food guide to the 1990s food pyramid and the 2011 MyPlate system. The Trump administration recently overhauled the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, bringing back an inverted pyramid, emphasizing the importance of "the truth" in nutrition.
Here are 12 foods that the new guidelines recommend Americans eat more of:
Full-fat dairy: The guidelines recommend opting for full-fat dairy products over low-fat or fat-free ones, citing their healthy fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. However, some experts question this suggestion due to concerns about saturated fat and the fact that many people don't consume dairy.
Yogurt: Yogurt is highlighted as a healthy fat, but the guidelines specify that it should be without added sugars. The issue is that many yogurts are loaded with added sugars, and the U.K. government has noted that yogurt contributes significantly to children's sugar intake.
Red meat: The guidelines push for more protein, specifically red meat, but experts like Teresa Fung from Harvard argue that most Americans already get enough protein. The guidelines also recommend keeping fat intake to 10% of daily calories, which conflicts with the increased red meat consumption.
Butter: Butter is recommended as a preferred cooking fat, but it's challenging to balance increased butter and red meat consumption with the recommended fat intake of less than 10% of daily calories.
Beef tallow: Beef tallow, derived from cow fat, is high in saturated fat but is endorsed by the guidelines as a healthy fat. Experts from Stanford, however, dispute this claim, stating that olive oil, butter, and beef tallow contain negligible amounts of essential fatty acids.
Protein: Overall protein is emphasized, with the guidelines recommending up to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Experts caution that Americans already consume enough protein and that excessive protein intake can lead to health issues.
Olive oil: Olive oil is listed as a healthy fat, but it's not a good source of essential fatty acids, which are more abundant in seed oils like canola or soybean oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest variety, offering anti-inflammatory benefits.
Fiber-rich whole grains: The guidelines encourage eating two to four servings of whole, fiber-rich grains daily while reducing highly processed grain-derived foods. Not all whole grains are equal; some may contain little fiber or sugar, so it's essential to choose high-fiber options.
Eggs: Eggs are recommended for their protein and healthy fats, contrary to past misconceptions about their healthiness. Modern research shows that eggs have no correlation with heart disease and can lower the risk of heart disease and bleeding stroke.
Avocado: Avocados are a great source of healthy fats, vitamins, and nutrients, linked to heart, bone, and vision health. However, consuming too many avocados can lead to unintended weight gain, so moderation is key.
Cheese: Whole-fat cheese is recommended, but not all cheeses are created equal. Some are healthier than others, with mozzarella being relatively lower in sodium and calories, and blue cheese being high in calcium. Choosing minimally processed, high-protein and calcium cheeses is advisable.
Minimally processed foods: The guidelines emphasize eating minimally processed foods to combat the "health emergency" caused by diets high in ultra-processed foods, which are linked to all-cause mortality and classified as carcinogens.
