RFK Jr. unveils MAHA food pyramid placing protein and vegetables above grains

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a MAHA food pyramid that emphasizes proteins and vegetables over grains, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the administration intends to use nutrition program spending and SNAP changes to support the new guidance.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a new MAHA food pyramid that inverts traditional guidance by placing proteins and vegetables above grains. He described the recommendation as grounded in recent science and said about half of children’s calories now come from ultra-processed foods or highly refined carbohydrates. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins joined the announcement and discussed the potential to align nutrition program spending with the new guidance. Both officials mentioned program changes such as SNAP waivers and front-of-package labeling as part of the effort. Key points: - Kennedy said the pyramid emphasizes protein sources, listing red meat, eggs and poultry, alongside fruits and vegetables, while moving grains lower in the hierarchy. - He reported that roughly 50% of children’s calories are from ultra-processed foods or refined carbohydrates. - Rollins stated the USDA spends about $400 million a day on nutrition programs such as food stamps and school meals and discussed using that spending to incentivize different foods. - Both officials referenced SNAP reforms and front-of-package labeling as tools being pursued to support the new dietary guidance. Summary: The announcement signals a federal effort to reframe dietary guidance toward greater emphasis on protein and vegetables and to use nutrition program spending to support that shift. Officials said work on SNAP waivers, other SNAP reforms, and front-of-package labeling is part of the plan, but they did not provide specific timelines or detailed steps. Undetermined at this time.