Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has faced widespread ridicule online after suggesting an austere, budget-friendly meal for Americans, as the Trump administration unveils controversial new dietary advice.
Out-of-Touch Dining Advice Sparks Backlash
During a television appearance on Wednesday 14 January 2026, Rollins outlined what she called an affordable way to adhere to the new federal dietary guidelines. "We've run over 1,000 simulations. It can cost around $3 a meal for a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, corn tortilla and one other thing," she told News Nation. She argued this approach would save money for the average consumer.
However, the suggestion was swiftly mocked on social media as a "depression meal" that was profoundly out of touch with the realities of American life. The criticism comes at a time when, despite inflation holding steady at 2.7 percent in December, grocery prices remain stubbornly high according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
New Guidelines and Political Context
The remarks were made while Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were promoting the administration's new dietary guidelines. These guidelines, described as turning the traditional food pyramid "upside down," encourage Americans to eat more protein, dairy, and healthy fats while reducing whole grains. Kennedy Jr., a proponent of the carnivore diet, joined Rollins in urging the public to simply "eat real food."
Prominent figures were quick to criticise Rollins's comments. Chasten Glezman Buttigieg, husband of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, wrote on X: "Private jets and tax breaks for them and their rich friends, and one piece of broccoli *AND* a tortilla for you!" Democratic strategist Jennifer Holdsworth sarcastically posted, "One whole tortilla?!"
Other critics included Marlow Stern of Columbia Journalism School, who noted "'You should eat prison meals' prob not the best message," and podcast host Fred Wellman, who stated, "They hate so much of America. They just hate them."
Experts Highlight Overlooked Socio-Economic Barriers
Health experts have pointed out that the new guidelines largely ignore the structural challenges many Americans face in accessing nutritious food. Writing for The Independent, Lauren Ball and Emily Burch emphasised that affordability, accessibility, and cultural relevance are key drivers of food choice, factors the guidelines overlooked.
"Access to affordable, healthy food remains limited across the US, especially for people in low-income communities, rural areas, or those working long and unpredictable hours," they wrote.
The economic data underscores the problem. Recent figures show significant year-on-year price increases for staples:
- Uncooked ground beef: up 15.5 percent
- Frozen fish and seafood: increased 8.6 percent
The episode has highlighted a growing disconnect between federal policy recommendations and the daily struggle many households endure to put food on the table, turning a routine policy announcement into a public relations disaster for the Agriculture Secretary.
