The January 2026 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans reflect the unorthodox and scientifically questionable policy of the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services as influenced by political activists and the MAHA movement.  The Dietary Guidelines are revised at five-year intervals and serve as a guide for health professionals and also determine the composition of federally funded or supported school meals. 

The 2026 Dietary Guidelines were developed by an independent advisory committee selected by HSUS and USDA administrators.  The significant features include:

• A focus on protein - increasing intake and promoting red meat, poultry and eggs at the expense of plant-based protein.

• Inclusion of animal fats - with a limit of saturated fat to ten percent of calories equivalent to 22 grams per day.

• An emphasis on nutrient-dense food groups including fruits, vegetables, animal protein and dairy products.

• Limits on “highly processed foods” and a reduction in sugar intake

The depiction of the food pyramid is now inverted compared to previous presentations with dairy and meat products and eggs at the top and whole grains at the bottom.  The detail in the 2026 Guidelines was reduced from the previous edition comprising 264 pages to only 10 pages. This suggests urgency in preparation, inexperience among compilers and a lack of scientific rigor. It is evident that questions will be raised concerning the review of scientific literature prior to drafting of the report by privately contracted individuals with questionable credentials.