The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative could soon lead to significant changes in U.S. dietary guidelines, sparking a wave of criticism even before the details are fully unveiled.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is poised to introduce new recommendations that advocate for increased consumption of foods traditionally labeled as unhealthy, such as those rich in saturated fats.
Kennedy contends that Americans should not shy away from trans and saturated fats, suggesting that items like butter, cheese, milk, and red meat have been unjustly criticized for many years. This updated guidance might be rolled out as early as this month.
- RFK Jr. to unveil new guidance encouraging more saturated fats
“We are promoting dietary guidelines grounded in common sense, emphasizing the importance of consuming saturated fats found in dairy, quality meats, fresh produce, and vegetables,” Kennedy stated. “When we release these guidelines, they will provide a foundation to incorporate them into our schools.”
More saturated fats will make Americans less healthy, experts argue
Kennedy has consistently argued that the real dietary villains are refined carbohydrates and ultraprocessed foods, which he believes have been largely overlooked in discussions about obesity and inflammation.
Currently, the U.S. dietary guidelines, reviewed every five years, recommend that Americans restrict their saturated fat intake to 10% of their daily calories. In contrast, the American Heart Association suggests keeping this intake below 6%.
Kennedy’s shift from the decades-long consensus has already generated concern from some medical professionals, who argue that the science is clear: more saturated fats will make Americans less healthy.
“We consume too much added sugars, we consume too much saturated fat,” said Eve Stoody, U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition guidance and analysis division director. “We have a large nutrition problem, and I think it needs action across multiple fronts.”
The American Heart Association has warned that saturated fats raise so-called “bad” cholesterol levels and are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
