The Trump administration has announced a major overhaul of official US dietary advice, declaring an end to the decades-long 'war' on saturated fats. The new guidelines, set to run until 2030, were unveiled by Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr on Wednesday.
A Historic Policy Shift
The new framework marks a stark departure from recommendations that have been in place since 1980. For over forty years, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans advised that no more than 10% of a person's daily calories should come from saturated fat. For someone on a standard 2,000-calorie diet, this equated to a limit of roughly 20 grams per day.
Kennedy labelled this longstanding guidance as 'antiquated'. Instead, the administration is shifting the focus of America's chronic disease epidemic towards ultra-processed foods and artificial dyes. 'Today the lies stop. We are ending the war on saturated fats,' Kennedy stated during a press briefing.
Expert Warnings and Heart Health Concerns
The dramatic policy change has been met with significant concern from leading physicians and nutrition experts. They warn that encouraging higher consumption of saturated fat—found abundantly in red meat, butter, and cheese—could exacerbate the nation's already severe heart disease crisis.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming nearly one million lives annually. Decades of research have consistently linked saturated fat to increased levels of LDL ('bad') cholesterol, which causes plaque to build up in arteries, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Anna Schraff, a nutrition coach and founder of Mediterranean for Life, told the Daily Mail: 'The most rigorous scientific evidence consistently shows higher saturated fat intake is linked with increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and dementia.'
Nutrients Versus Risks: A Complex Balance
Some health professionals, however, highlight the nutritional value found in foods containing saturated fats. Dr Jessica Mack, a clinical occupational therapist, noted that while high quantities are harmful, these foods provide essential nutrients.
For instance, eggs are a rich source of choline, vital for memory and brain function. A study in The Journal of Nutrition found older adults eating more than one egg weekly had a 47% lower dementia risk. Dairy products offer calcium for bone strength.
'The key is moderation and mindful pairing with whole foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains,' Dr Mack advised.
Alongside the saturated fat shift, the new guidelines will also advise against consuming fruit juices and foods high in refined carbohydrates like white rice, oats, and bread. This places classic junk food like soda in the same category of foods to limit.
The American Heart Association maintains a stricter stance than the old federal guidelines, recommending only 6% of daily calories from saturated fat. The debate over this fundamental nutritional advice is now set to define public health policy for the next decade.
