RFK Jr. Announces Shift in Dietary Guidelines to Embrace Saturated Fats

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has revealed plans to release new dietary guidelines next month that will mark a significant shift in the U.S. approach to saturated fats. During his speech at the Food Allergy Fund Leadership Forum on March 4, 2024, Kennedy stated, “We’re ending the war on saturated fats in this country. So, we’re going to publish dietary guidelines that are going to stress the importance of protein and saturated fats.”

Kennedy anticipates that the revised guidelines will “revolutionize the food system in the country, the food culture in this country.” Currently, national dietary recommendations advise that saturated fat should constitute less than 10 percent of an individual’s daily caloric intake starting at age two. Additionally, there are established limits on added sugars and sodium, with the American Heart Association advocating for a more stringent cap of 6 percent of total daily calories from saturated fat.

The secretary’s personal dietary choices align with this new direction. He follows a carnivore diet that includes a variety of meats, seafood, and full-fat dairy products. In a previous interview with Fox News, Kennedy described his diet, stating, “It’s mainly meat and then fermented — anything fermented. So, a lot of yogurt, good yogurt without sugar in it. Then, coleslaw and kimchi and all kinds of fermented vegetables.” He emphasized that this approach has “dramatically changed” his health and well-being.

Kennedy’s initiative extends beyond fats, as he has also proposed eliminating petroleum-based synthetic dyes from food products by the end of 2026. This is a component of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. He has labeled these synthetic dyes as “poisonous compounds” that pose significant risks to children’s health and development.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded to these claims by stating on its website that while scientific evidence indicates most children do not experience adverse effects from consuming foods with color additives, there is some evidence that certain children may show sensitivity.

As these new dietary guidelines approach their release, the public will be watching closely to see how they may alter dietary practices across the nation. Kennedy’s emphasis on saturated fats marks a stark departure from long-standing nutritional advice and could lead to a broader cultural shift in how Americans perceive and consume these food components.