At a Glance
- New U.S. guidelines raise daily protein target to 100 grams, up from 54 grams
- Guidance favors red meat and whole milk over plant sources
- Experts warn Americans already exceed old limits and risk fat gain and diabetes
- Why it matters: The shift could flood stores with protein-fortified junk food and confuse eaters trying to avoid processed products
The Trump administration has rewritten federal nutrition advice, telling Americans to double their protein intake and prioritize animal sources at every meal. The move, unveiled Wednesday, ends what Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called “the war on protein,” but leading nutrition scientists say the change lacks evidence and could fuel obesity and diabetes.
New Targets: 1.2-1.6 Grams per Kilogram
The updated dietary guidelines scrap the long-standing 0.8 grams per kilogram of body-weight standard-about 54 grams for a 150-pound adult. In its place, officials now recommend 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram, pushing most adults toward at least 100 grams daily. Half or more should come from animal foods, according to the document.
For decades, the lower target was designed to prevent deficiency. A scientific review bundled with the new rules admits the old number “does not reflect the intake required to maintain optimal muscle mass or metabolic function.” The review cites 30 studies linking higher protein to weight management and nutrient adequacy, concluding intakes “well above” previous guidance “are safe and compatible with good health.”
“Ending the War on Protein”
Kennedy announced the shift in a White House social-media post: “We are ending the war on protein.” The same rollout also declares “war on added sugar” and softens warnings on saturated fat, signaling a broader rewrite of nutrition policy.
Experts: Americans Already Over-Consume
Critics note the average adult man already consumes about 100 grams daily-twice the old recommendation-without any government push. “If you’re actively building muscle with strength or resistance training, more protein can help,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a Tufts University nutrition specialist. “Otherwise, you’re getting enough.”
Mozaffarian and colleagues warn excess protein offers no proven muscle benefit for the general public. Instead, the liver converts surplus amino acids to fat, raising visceral fat that surrounds organs and increases diabetes risk.
Processed-Food Boom Expected
Market analysts predict the guideline change will accelerate the rush to fortify packaged snacks, cereals, bars-even water-with protein. Sales of protein-enriched packaged food will climb at a time “when one of the main messages is ‘eat real food, eat whole foods,'” said Christopher Gardner, a Stanford University nutrition scientist. “I think they’re going to confuse the public in a big way.”
Whole-Food Goal Undercut
Some researchers see a narrow benefit: if higher-protein messaging steers people away from refined carbohydrates, it could reduce reliance on cookies and chips. “The main problem with the food supply is the processed carbohydrates,” said Dr. David Ludwig, an endocrinologist at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Yet the same bulletin that touts more protein also encourages whole foods, creating mixed signals. Shoppers may simply reach for protein-laden toaster pastries and salty snacks instead of eggs or beans. “I think the American public’s gonna go buy more junk food,” Gardner added.
What Counts as Protein?
Protein supplies amino acids the body cannot manufacture on its own. Sources span:
- Animal: red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy
- Plant: beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, soy
The new pyramid graphic released with the guidelines visually favors the animal column.
Timeline of Change
| Year | Protein Guidance | Grams for 150-lb Adult |
|---|---|---|
| 1980-2020 | 0.8 g/kg | ~54 g |
| 2025 | 1.2-1.6 g/kg | ~82-109 g |
Key Takeaways
- Federal advice now sets 100 grams as a daily floor, not a ceiling
- No new data show the general population needs extra protein for health
- Excess intake may convert to body fat and raise diabetes risk
- Food companies are poised to market protein-spiked ultra-processed items
