The American Heart Association (AHA) has released new dietary guidance that prioritises plant-based protein over meat, diverging from the Trump administration's recommendations. The guidance, published on Tuesday, emphasises a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, while limiting sugar, salt, and ultra-processed foods.
The AHA advises replacing full-fat dairy with non-fat or low-fat options and choosing lean cuts of red meat in small portions, avoiding processed forms. This contrasts with the federal government's dietary guidelines, announced earlier this year by Donald Trump, which encouraged Americans to eat more protein from both animal and plant sources and promoted full-fat dairy.
The Trump administration, led by health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, has focused on removing synthetic dyes, chemical ingredients, and ultra-processed foods, as well as reducing sugar and seed oils. The AHA's guidance aligns with some of these goals, such as minimising added sugars and avoiding ultra-processed foods, but differs on the consumption of red meat and dairy.
The AHA also recommends preparing foods with minimal or no salt and limiting alcohol intake. For children, the organisation suggests they can begin following a heart-healthy dietary pattern from the age of one. The AHA, the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organisation dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, updates its dietary guidance approximately every five years.
A spokesperson from the US Food and Drug Administration noted that the AHA's guidance aligns with the FDA's dietary guidelines on major issues, and expressed a desire to work collaboratively with the organisation.
