On January 7, 2026, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the creation of a new food pyramid. The guidelines turn away from promoting large amounts of grains and bread, and promote protein, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. Some of the biggest changes include the attitude towards fat as healthy fats are seen as a good thing, where the old pyramid suggested avoiding full fat dairy and trying to remove fat from the diet.
“I think protein is super important for a healthy diet. It is better that the new food pyramid makes real food the most important,” junior Josiah Powers said.
The first food pyramid was implemented in 1992 with a heavy emphasis on grains as it recommended 6-11 servings a day. It also moved towards avoiding saturated fat and choosing skim milk contributing towards the “fat makes you fat” mindset that took hold in the 90s and 2000s.
“I was surprised that the first food pyramid wanted people to eat so much grains and stuff like bread,” senior Rafael Yanes said.
The United States saw a rise in obesity and diabetes during the low-fat era of dietary guidelines. During this time there was an increased consumption of refined grains, processed foods and high sugar content.
“There is definitely a lot more people that are obese today than there used to be,” Powers said. “Obviously the old diet recommendations didn’t work since obesity is more of a problem. I think it is because of all of the processed foods that people eat. They should just eat more protein.”
The new food pyramid saw an increased promotion of protein and vegetables with the reintroduction of full fat dairy and animal fats as a recommendation. There was also a clear distinction made between processed carbs and whole foods.
“I think real food is the most healthy. I try and eat as healthy as I can because I play golf and being healthy can help me play better,” Yanes said.
The increased rates of diabetes and prediabetes and chronic diseases linked to diet were cited as reasons to rethink the dietary guidelines. The idea to move away from processed foods and super refined grains and the promotion of real and whole foods is hoped to create a healthier population moving forward.
“Even though processed foods and things with sugar taste really good, it is important to eat real food and a lot of protein so you can build some muscle,” Powers said.