The recent guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture are introducing a new philosophy in nutrition, shifting the weight from strict calorie counting to food quality, with an emphasis on less processed options and foods that are closer to their natural form.
At the same time, special emphasis is placed on avoiding ultra-processed foods with additives, sugar and salt, as well as on the choice of foods that come from nature, with priority given to protein foods of animal origin, such as beef and pork, poultry, eggs and full-fat dairy products.
Protein, therefore, is at the heart of the new recommendations, with the recommended daily intake set at 1.2-1.6 gr/kg body weight (BM), which is twice the amount compared to the previous range of 0.8-1.2 gr/kg.
Another change concerns the recommendation to consume full-fat products, such as dairy, natural fats from butter and beef fat, along with the addition of healthy oils. However, the maintenance of the well-known nutritional recommendation for saturated fats, which should not exceed 10% of daily caloric needs, a limit that can hardly be met in combination with the consumption of three servings of full-fat dairy and the emphasis on animal protein from red meat, has made an impression.
Recommendations for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, exercise and alcohol remain unchanged.
New trends in dietary guidelines
Therefore, the previously known dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet – where the base of the pyramid consisted of cereals, legumes and carbohydrates rich in fiber and known for their antioxidant action – are being replaced by an "inverted" pyramid. Animal products rich in trans and saturated fatty acids are now placed at its base with a recommendation of frequent consumption and not at the top (infrequent consumption), as was known until recently.
Many scientific studies have associated saturated fat and red meat with an increase in LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, cardiovascular events, type 2 diabetes mellitus and various forms of cancer. Although the above animal sources are good sources of iron, B12 and protein for maintaining muscle mass, especially in the elderly and vulnerable groups, studies so far suggest that the risks to metabolic health may outweigh the potential benefits.
The "inverted" pyramid and animal fats
At the same time, intense debates are in the foreground, with concerns raised about the contradictions of the new recommendations and whether this information was influenced by personal interests and hidden agreements and not exclusively by scientific validity.
Taking these concerns into account, seven months after the release of the new guidelines, the non-profit organization Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) submitted its own response.
This organization is based on the rules of ethical ethics, medical prevention, respect for the animal environment and vegetarian eating models, with the main pillars being health, longevity and the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, various types of cancer, diabetes mellitus, etc. Therefore, the emphasis on plant-based foods to boost metabolic health and fight disease contrasts with new guidelines that support a predominantly animal-based dietary model.
Scientific objections and the position of the PCRM
The Commission, after meetings, decided to bring an action for the withdrawal of the new directives. The main objective of the complaint is the composition of the nine-member committee that formulated the new guidelines, as it was revealed that all its members, with the exception of just one, maintained secret ties with industrial giants of food of animal origin (milk, yogurt, eggs, pork and beef).
According to the complaint, the directives were pushed through procedures of just three months, bypassing the Scientific Advisory Committee (DGAC), which had been closely monitoring the issue for two years. In addition, due to the rush that dominated decision-making, any form of transparency and information to citizens was bypassed.
Transparency, conflict of interest and institutional gaps
In addition to the absence of social approval and the circumvention of all legal means, the PCRM Committee also supports the absence of scientific approval and correctness. They report that years of research and meta-analyses show opposite results, pointing out that cereals, starchy foods (spaghetti, rice, potatoes) and plant-based protein sources (such as legumes, nuts) contribute to longevity, disease prevention and health protection due to vitamins, fiber and other nutrients, while processed meat and daily fat consumption are associated with increased "bad" cholesterol and cardiovascular events.
In conclusion, the main objective of the PCRM is to withdraw these directives and issue new ones, which will be based on sound scientific data, will respect legal procedures and will be distinguished by absolute transparency.
Balance and Personalization in Modern Nutrition
The PCRM committee does not condemn the shift to increased protein, but the exclusive shift to animal sources. It agrees with a higher protein intake, but focuses on plant-based sources such as legumes, soybeans, and nuts, which in some individuals may prove vital. In contrast, overconsumption of red meat is characterized by a high saturated fat content and minimal cardiovascular and metabolic benefits.
Modern research data are in line with the positions of PCRM, pointing out that minerals, vitamins and fiber of plant proteins act as a deterrent to the development of diseases. In addition, the logic of the inverted pyramid remains contradictory, as limiting saturated fat to less than 10% cannot coexist with the daily consumption of animal foods rich in it.
A diet based on plant-based protein sources, as recommended by the PCRM committee, can offer significant health benefits, but in any case, it remains necessary to personalize and design dietary plans based on the needs and preferences of each individual.
Animal sources can also be good sources of proteins of high biological value, vitamins and trace elements. Seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy, and even red meat – when consumed in moderation – can be part of a balanced diet.
Personalization and the Future of Medical Nutrition
In conclusion, the most critical elements are:The choice of foods based on their nutrient content, low processing, the absence of additives (such as sugar and salt) and the restriction of saturated and trans fats, according to the model of the Mediterranean Diet.
Taking into account the personal preferences and needs of each person (personalized diet plan), so that this diet can be adopted for life.
Our era is the era of medical precision, which in nutrition is expressed as Medical Nutrition. The Mediterranean, personalized and personalized medical diet has a strong past, a documented present and a promising future. Let's follow it!
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