Eat more plant-based protein instead of meat, top heart health body says, contradicting RFK, Jr.
These guidelines reinforce the importance of whole grains and fruit and vegetables but clash with the government’s latest nutrition advice on red meat
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The top U.S. heart health organization has issued new guidelines advocating for increased consumption of plant-based proteins over meat and reduced alcohol intake.
These recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA) largely align with their 2021 guidance but challenge elements of the newly revised food pyramid presented by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in January. The updated guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggest Americans should eat more red meat and whole milk. Diets rich in saturated fats—often found in animal proteins like red meat—are associated with an elevated risk of heart disease and other health issues.
“This guidance is consistent with what the AHA and dietary guidelines have long advocated,” says Marion Nestle, a professor of food and nutrition studies at New York University.
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“Conversely, the new RFK, Jr., dietary guidelines significantly diverge from established advice, suggesting increased protein intake, more meat, more full-fat dairy, and other saturated fat sources like butter and beef tallow,” she continues.
Nevertheless, both the AHA and the revised food pyramid maintain recommendations to consume ample fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
“The American Heart Association’s guidelines align with the Dietary Guidelines from HHS and the USDA on key issues: consume real food, avoid highly processed foods, and limit refined grains and added sugars,” stated HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon to Scientific American. “We look forward to collaborating with the AHA to promote these essential principles and tackle the chronic disease epidemic linked to poor diet.”
The latest AHA guidelines, published today in Circulation, highlight nine key elements of healthy eating that could lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic health conditions. These include adjusting energy intake based on activity level; eating plenty of fruits and vegetables; opting for whole grains over refined carbohydrates; selecting healthy protein sources, including plant-based options instead of meat, as well as seafood and low-fat or fat-free dairy; prioritizing unsaturated fats over saturated fats; avoiding ultraprocessed foods; reducing added sugars; limiting salt; and drinking less alcohol or none at all if not currently consumed.
The resemblance between the AHA’s 2026 guidelines and its 2021 recommendations is intentional. “We found that the evidence supporting this guidance has strengthened. The more robust body of evidence is prompting some nuanced but crucial updates to ensure the guidance stays aligned with the latest and strongest science on diet and cardiovascular health,” said Alice H. Lichtenstein, who chairs the scientific statement writing committee for the new AHA recommendations and is a senior scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, in a statement.
The new recommendations also advise using plant-derived oils, such as those from nuts, seeds, and avocados, instead of saturated fats. Kennedy has previously promoted beef tallow as a healthy fat source, a claim most nutrition experts dispute.
“Science continues to show that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids lowers blood cholesterol and reduces heart disease risk,” Nestle notes. Regarding protein, she says most Americans already consume enough and need not worry about their intake. “The emphasis on protein in the new food pyramid seems to be a euphemism for meat, particularly red meat. The AHA wants people to recognize that plant protein sources are healthier.”
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