Old Food Pyramid vs. New: What Changed Under RFK Jr.

The familiar U.S. food pyramid has been turned on its head.

On January 7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released new dietary guidelines featuring a redesigned pyramid that looks markedly different from the one many Americans grew up with.

Championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the updated guidance emphasizes protein, full-fat dairy and healthy fats, while significantly reducing the role of grains.

Unlike earlier models that placed bread, rice and pasta at the base, the new pyramid positions grains at the bottom as the smallest recommended category.

Protein now takes center stage, with suggested intake increased to 1.2–1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, up from the long-standing minimum of 0.8 grams.

The guidelines also reverse previous caution around fats, recommending full-fat dairy and encouraging naturally occurring fats from whole foods, while still capping saturated fat at 10% of daily calories.

Added sugar is singled out as a major concern, with stricter limits encouraged, and alcohol guidance now emphasizes minimizing consumption rather than specific daily limits.

Officials described the changes as a major reset in federal nutrition policy, aligning with broader efforts to promote “real food” and reduce ultra-processed ingredients.

The return to the pyramid format — after years of using the MyPlate model — marks one of the most significant shifts in U.S. dietary advice in decades.