BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – In the new year, President Donald Trump’s administration released new dietary guidelines for Americans to follow.
For one local dietitian, this new food pyramid is flipping previous guidelines. The 2025-2030 federal food guidelines were released on Jan. 7 to the public with one main focus: eat real food.
The pyramid that we originally knew, with grains heavily concentrated on the bottom and protein smaller at the top, is now flipped.
These new guidelines make protein the primary focus and the foundation for meals, along with dairy and healthy fats.
As far as changes we need to make in our diet, local dietitian Ginger Carney says she sees Americans already eating the recommended amounts.
Carney says, “I don’t know if we need to make a big push on protein, but I think we need to be mindful about eating protein in every meal, and that’ll help us to get to the protein that we need.”
As protein takes over the new food pyramid, Carney worries that Americans won’t consider fat intake while trying to meet their protein count.
“I would suggest, as a dietician, that we incorporate more low-fat protein so that we can continue to keep the saturated fat intake at 10% or less, and this is the same recommendation that was before,” says Carney. “So, if we include more protein, you’re encouraging a little bit more saturated fat intake. So, again, be mindful and do intentional eating.”
Carney says that with the original pyramid showing grains as the foundation of a meal, it might’ve been easier to overdo carbs, leading to weight gain.
She says whole grains in moderation, like the new pyramid, could help reduce the chance of weight gain.
Carney also reminds people to eat their fresh fruits and vegetables still and to overall eat less processed foods.
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