Old food pyramid and RFK Jr.'s new food pyramid present different priorities.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new federal dietary guidelines on Jan. 7 that return to a pyramid visual and emphasize protein and healthy fats while making grains a much smaller category.

The Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services released a new set of dietary guidelines announced Jan. 7, and the guidance includes a redesigned food pyramid. The new pyramid reverses the older layout so that foods recommended in greater amounts appear at the top. The guidance places larger portions on protein, dairy, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, and reduces the role of grains compared with past versions. Officials presented the change as a broad reset of federal nutrition policy. Key differences: - The visual has returned to a pyramid and is effectively turned upside down compared with earlier versions, with items shown as more abundant at the top. - Grains, previously the foundation of older pyramids and plate visuals, are now the smallest group in the new graphic. - Protein is elevated as a main category, with a reported suggested intake of 1.2–1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, up from the long-standing minimum of 0.8 g/kg. - The guidelines shift the stance on fats: three servings of full-fat dairy are recommended daily and saturated fat is placed among fats described as part of the recommended mix while remaining capped at 10% of daily calories, according to the release. - The guidance places new emphasis on limiting added sugars, reported as capping consumption at 10 mg per meal, and it changes alcohol messaging from a numerical daily limit to language advising minimization of consumption. Summary: The announcement changes both the visual and many specific recommendations in federal nutrition guidance, moving away from the MyPlate era back to a pyramid that prioritizes protein and whole-food fats and downplays grains. Undetermined at this time.