RFK Jr.’s new dietary tips finish 'the conflict on saturated fat' : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3654x2056+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F71%2Fa0%2F2ae525e54329a9317db001e5baea%2Fdga-1.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3654x2056+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F71%2Fa0%2F2ae525e54329a9317db001e5baea%2Fdga-1.jpg" class="img" alt="This diagram shows foods arranged in the shape of an inverted pyramid. The top-right corner is labeled "Vegetables & Fruits" and shows foods such as carrots, a pear and a bag of frozen peas. The top-left corner is labeled "Protein, Dairy & Healthy Fats" and shows foods such as a cheese wedge, a steak, a carton of whole milk and a slice of salmon. The bottom corner is labeled "Whole Grains" and shows grains of oatmeal, a bowl of porridge and a loaf of bread." fetchpriority="high"/> The Trump administration has unveiled a brand new meals pyramid that stresses protein and entire meals and requires an finish to "the conflict on saturated fat." U.S. Division of Agriculture/U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers conceal caption

toggle caption

U.S. Division of Agriculture/U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has introduced new dietary tips for Individuals targeted on selling entire meals, wholesome proteins and fat.

At a press convention Wednesday, the administration unveiled a brand new meals pyramid with purple meat, cheese, greens and fruits pictured on the high.

Kennedy described the rules as probably the most important reset on diet coverage in historical past, calling for an finish to insurance policies that promote extremely refined meals which can be dangerous to well being.

The rules will set limits on added sugar and encourage diets that embody meat and dairy.

"Protein and wholesome fat are important and had been wrongly discouraged in prior dietary tips," Kennedy mentioned. "We're ending the conflict on saturated fat."

As an introduction to the brand new tips, Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins known as for a "dramatic discount" within the consumption of "extremely processed meals laden with refined carbohydrates, added sugars, extra sodium, unhealthy fat, and chemical components."

"This method can change the well being trajectory for therefore many Individuals," they wrote, declaring that greater than 70% of American adults are obese or overweight attributable to a weight-reduction plan that has "grow to be reliant on extremely processed meals and matched with a sedentary way of life."

For years, Individuals have been suggested to restrict saturated fats, and the brand new pyramid is going through criticism.

"I am very disenchanted within the new pyramid that options purple meat and saturated fats sources on the very high, as if that is one thing to prioritize. It does go towards a long time and a long time of proof and analysis," says Christopher Gardner, a diet professional at Stanford College. He was a member of the Dietary Pointers Advisory Committee, which reviewed all of the diet proof.

The rules additionally elevate cheese and different dairy to the highest of the pyramid, paving the way in which for the choice of full-fat milk and different dairy merchandise in class meals. There's rising proof, primarily based on diet science, that dairy meals will be helpful.

"It is fairly clear that general milk and cheese and yogurt will be a part of a nutritious diet," says Dariush Mozaffarian, a heart specialist, a public well being scientist and the director of the Meals is Medication Institute at Tufts College. "Each low-fat and whole-fat dairy variations of milk, cheese and yogurt have been linked to decrease cardiovascular threat," he says.

"What's fairly fascinating is that the fats content material does not appear to make an enormous distinction. So each low-fat and whole-fat dairy variations of milk, cheese and yogurt have been linked to decrease cardiovascular threat," Mozaffarian says.

Mozaffarian says he helps the suggestions to decrease consumption of extremely processed meals. "Extremely processed meals are clearly dangerous for a variety of ailments, so to have the U.S. authorities advocate {that a} extensive class of meals be eaten much less due to their processing is an enormous deal and I feel a really optimistic transfer for public well being," he says.

Although most Individuals do not learn the dietary tips, they're extremely influential in figuring out what's served in class meals and on navy bases, in addition to what's included in federal meals assist for moms and infants, as the rules set targets for energy and vitamins.