We're in the upside down. Yep. That tracks!! Sentient Slim Jim BAH HAHAHAHAH Oh my gosh you delight me with the way you rip on these goofballs!! Pyramid Schmyramid. The whole - don't listen to them, just listen to us is such nonsense. 💩
A. The moniker "Sentinent Slim Jim" is a hoot. Thank you.
B. Your Pyramid observations are spot-on!
C. Overall, despite obvious big flaws like promoting proven cancer-linked red meat and removing limits and cancer warnings from alcohol recommendations, the condemnation of sugar and ultraprocessed food in the new Dietary Guidelines might be good. Depends on whether and when those positions move into actual policy and regulations. Probably not under Trump unfortunately. If you are interested, more at https://EatingInAmerica.co.
Eat real food seems like an idea most Americans are having trouble with because...well...the economy! Next question...what is 'real’ food? I’m certainly finding it difficult (and stressful) to see any logic with this administration...apart from white supremacy shit.
Thanks for sharing this information and analysis...I think I will go eat a salad now!
My web developer brain was screaming at various accessibility concerns on that site too much to read the messed-up content. Appreciate ya giving high-level callouts of the madness since I trapped myself in the Dev Tools trying to figure out WTF they were thinking (but they probably weren't because your guess at them using AI for portions of the site is probably correct)
Man, I would love to read about the site and the National Design Studio in general from that perspective. It really is amazing how bad something can be on so many levels!
“On Wednesday, Health Secretary and sentient Slim Jim, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., unveiled a new, inverted food pyramid prioritizing red meat and full-fat dairy at the top. You don’t have to know much about nutrition to understand that’s some bad advice.”
No question about it. But why not take it from someone who does know about nutrition? I am a vegan. I am also registered dietitian with over a decade of experience in clinical nutrition. What RFK and his team of incompetents are recommending is the exact opposite of what I’d recommend to a general population, especially in this country which is ravaged by diet-related diseases.
I work in intensive care units in a hospital, one of which is a cardiopulmonary unit, an ICU for cardiothoracic surgery patients. I see the same thing over and over again. Patient comes in with chest pain. Found to have a heart attack. Ordered for a coronary angiogram to assess for coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD found. Many of these patients have open heart surgery for coronary artery bypass graft(s). Many have comorbidities directly caused by a western diet high in animal products - hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia. My colleagues and I receive consults to educate patients on their diet after their surgery. I tell them very straight that I strongly recommend they follow a plant-based diet, reduce animal product consumption, eliminate red meat (if possible - you always have to meet patients where they are in terms of contemplating lifestyle change).
Study after study shows the benefits of a plant-based diet. It’s better for everything, from disease prevention to disease management. That whole grains are at the bottom of this revised RFK pyramid shows how ignorant these “health experts” are. Carbohydrates are not your enemy. Glucose is in fact the preferred fuel source for your brain, muscles, and your red blood cells. There’s a reason why if you don’t consume carbohydrates in adequate amounts that your liver will start producing it via gluconeogenisis. It’s homeostasis. Your body physiologically wants to keep an acceptable range of glucose in your blood. Some of the healthiest foods you can put in your body are carbohydrate rich - beans and lentils being chief among them, which as far as I can tell are missing from their dumbass pyramid. (Now of course you should be choosing whole grains instead of refined grains.) Nutrition patterns high in whole grains are in fact associated with lower incidence of chronic disease, including type 2 diabetes.
That’s the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot more, including randomized controlled trials.
As pointed out by Michelle, it is well-established that saturated fat generally has a negative effect on your lipid profile. A nutritional biochemistry textbook will teach you that certain types of saturated fatty acids, particularly myristic acid and palmitic acid, cause increases in LDL, a known risk factor for heart disease. Even AI gets this correct. The last thing Americans need more of in their diet is meat and dairy, but industry always wins when it comes to these useless guidelines.
Question not yourselves if you’re already following a plant-based nutrition pattern. Beans, lentils, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds. That’s the foundation of a healthful diet. You knew that already, but know that any nutrition expert worth a damn will tell you the same thing. What I’m writing is not political. I don’t identify as a liberal or democrat (though I lean left because in my view Republicans consistently contradict all of their so called core values). I simply call bullshit for what it is, so I’m just echoing Michelle's post. And this new food pyramid is 100% bullshit, just like the entire Trump administration.
Exactly Scott. These new recommendations are so out of step with all known medical and nutritional science. "Even AI gets this correct" is the perfect burn. You're right; it's not political. It's just commonsense and sound science to reject this bullshit. I appreciate all the additional knowledge on this matter you brought to the table. Great comment!
I can't imagine how anyone stays sane in the US under this administration, let alone anyone in health or medicine. Well done on hanging on and being there for your patients. (I would say come to Aus, but we are on fire at the moment - even though climate change doesn't exist)
This was excellent and even more mind-bending/chilling when you tie it back in to corporations buying their way onto the "New Pyramid." And don't forget the alcohol guidelines, "don't have it for breakfast." :/
Thank you Jess! I couldn't believe the alcohol talking points. I didn't want to get into them because I was afraid I was getting dumber just reading all this stuff. Rough times for the literate!
Based on mainstream “new age” content on social media, I’m supposed to be drinking raw organ meat smoothies every day. I’m not sure how all these people went from strict (and judgey) vegan to raw meat in just a few years, but it’s disgusting.
I actually eat some animal protein most weeks due to travel and accessibility issues, but the extreme pivot to the most environmentally destructive foods possible is insane to me. Especially by a former environmental justice attorney. Money is the only explanation.
Exactly! It shows how little critical thinking goes into a lot of people's choices. They're just following the leader and right now, the leaders are getting paid off. Not great for us or the environment.
Great start to 2026 blogs, Michelle! This latest DGA report is a joke. I wish it was a joke, anyway. It retains the saturated fat limit of 10% of calories, but with the recommended protein sources (meat, eggs, full fat dairy) followers of government dietary advice will blow through their limit by lunch. Americans can now rest easy knowing that butter and beef tallow are great sources of healthy fat. Stupid. Most people won’t ever read the DGA, but it sets policy for school lunches and the military. The 2020-2025 DGA (previous version) was 164 pages long. RFK’s masterpiece is 10 pages long. Science takes up too much space. I have been annoyed about this since Wednesday, but I really do appreciate you, Michelle, for bringing your voice and ever present humor to expose this DGA and the administration that created it.
Thank you! You're absolutely right. As dumb as these new guidelines are, they have real implications for our national food policy and how people eat. It's so frustrating but at least we can vent here.
Excellent catch on the JBS connection. The pyramid flipping is bad enough on its face, but tying it back to inauguration donors makes the whole stakeholder language crystal clear. I've been following how food policy gets written by industry for years and this feels like they just stopped pretending. The graphic design being that sloppy almost makes it worse becuase it shows how little effort went into the actual science part.
“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants,” is a well-known quote from Michael Pollan. Hmm… Regardless, the day that I eat what the government tells me to eat, just shoot me.
It's unfortunate that the head of the department is such a nut job and talks mainly about eating more meat and dairy, because there is one sentence in there that makes sense. "Eat real food most of the time". That's pretty basic and smart.
The rest of it? 😬 I am looking forward to Eric Topol diving into all the studies they use to back up their "science".
I know that us very intelligent Potheads will slough off Dr. Brain Worm's new rules, but damn, I fear too many people will follow -- even celebrate -- the new bizarro pyramid. The only thing that might keep people from going by his shitty new pyramid is the price of meat. And thanks for tying in the link to JBS. It figures.
We're in the upside down. Yep. That tracks!! Sentient Slim Jim BAH HAHAHAHAH Oh my gosh you delight me with the way you rip on these goofballs!! Pyramid Schmyramid. The whole - don't listen to them, just listen to us is such nonsense. 💩
A. The moniker "Sentinent Slim Jim" is a hoot. Thank you.
B. Your Pyramid observations are spot-on!
C. Overall, despite obvious big flaws like promoting proven cancer-linked red meat and removing limits and cancer warnings from alcohol recommendations, the condemnation of sugar and ultraprocessed food in the new Dietary Guidelines might be good. Depends on whether and when those positions move into actual policy and regulations. Probably not under Trump unfortunately. If you are interested, more at https://EatingInAmerica.co.
Eat real food seems like an idea most Americans are having trouble with because...well...the economy! Next question...what is 'real’ food? I’m certainly finding it difficult (and stressful) to see any logic with this administration...apart from white supremacy shit.
Thanks for sharing this information and analysis...I think I will go eat a salad now!
My web developer brain was screaming at various accessibility concerns on that site too much to read the messed-up content. Appreciate ya giving high-level callouts of the madness since I trapped myself in the Dev Tools trying to figure out WTF they were thinking (but they probably weren't because your guess at them using AI for portions of the site is probably correct)
Man, I would love to read about the site and the National Design Studio in general from that perspective. It really is amazing how bad something can be on so many levels!
I want to say what the actual f*ck but I’ve already exceeded my quota for the year
A new record lol
brilliant. infuriating.
Best caption ever: this shit is gonna topple over!! And if you eat meat, what Americans can afford a big ol’ cartoonish steak?!?!
Seriously. No one can afford that cut right now.
“On Wednesday, Health Secretary and sentient Slim Jim, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., unveiled a new, inverted food pyramid prioritizing red meat and full-fat dairy at the top. You don’t have to know much about nutrition to understand that’s some bad advice.”
No question about it. But why not take it from someone who does know about nutrition? I am a vegan. I am also registered dietitian with over a decade of experience in clinical nutrition. What RFK and his team of incompetents are recommending is the exact opposite of what I’d recommend to a general population, especially in this country which is ravaged by diet-related diseases.
I work in intensive care units in a hospital, one of which is a cardiopulmonary unit, an ICU for cardiothoracic surgery patients. I see the same thing over and over again. Patient comes in with chest pain. Found to have a heart attack. Ordered for a coronary angiogram to assess for coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD found. Many of these patients have open heart surgery for coronary artery bypass graft(s). Many have comorbidities directly caused by a western diet high in animal products - hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia. My colleagues and I receive consults to educate patients on their diet after their surgery. I tell them very straight that I strongly recommend they follow a plant-based diet, reduce animal product consumption, eliminate red meat (if possible - you always have to meet patients where they are in terms of contemplating lifestyle change).
Study after study shows the benefits of a plant-based diet. It’s better for everything, from disease prevention to disease management. That whole grains are at the bottom of this revised RFK pyramid shows how ignorant these “health experts” are. Carbohydrates are not your enemy. Glucose is in fact the preferred fuel source for your brain, muscles, and your red blood cells. There’s a reason why if you don’t consume carbohydrates in adequate amounts that your liver will start producing it via gluconeogenisis. It’s homeostasis. Your body physiologically wants to keep an acceptable range of glucose in your blood. Some of the healthiest foods you can put in your body are carbohydrate rich - beans and lentils being chief among them, which as far as I can tell are missing from their dumbass pyramid. (Now of course you should be choosing whole grains instead of refined grains.) Nutrition patterns high in whole grains are in fact associated with lower incidence of chronic disease, including type 2 diabetes.
https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2206.abstract
https://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i2716.abstract
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.021101
That’s the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot more, including randomized controlled trials.
As pointed out by Michelle, it is well-established that saturated fat generally has a negative effect on your lipid profile. A nutritional biochemistry textbook will teach you that certain types of saturated fatty acids, particularly myristic acid and palmitic acid, cause increases in LDL, a known risk factor for heart disease. Even AI gets this correct. The last thing Americans need more of in their diet is meat and dairy, but industry always wins when it comes to these useless guidelines.
Question not yourselves if you’re already following a plant-based nutrition pattern. Beans, lentils, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds. That’s the foundation of a healthful diet. You knew that already, but know that any nutrition expert worth a damn will tell you the same thing. What I’m writing is not political. I don’t identify as a liberal or democrat (though I lean left because in my view Republicans consistently contradict all of their so called core values). I simply call bullshit for what it is, so I’m just echoing Michelle's post. And this new food pyramid is 100% bullshit, just like the entire Trump administration.
> sentient Slim Jim
I’m howling
I call it like I see it lolololol
Exactly Scott. These new recommendations are so out of step with all known medical and nutritional science. "Even AI gets this correct" is the perfect burn. You're right; it's not political. It's just commonsense and sound science to reject this bullshit. I appreciate all the additional knowledge on this matter you brought to the table. Great comment!
I can't imagine how anyone stays sane in the US under this administration, let alone anyone in health or medicine. Well done on hanging on and being there for your patients. (I would say come to Aus, but we are on fire at the moment - even though climate change doesn't exist)
Yes! It takes really strong people to hang in there right now and I appreciate every single one.
This was excellent and even more mind-bending/chilling when you tie it back in to corporations buying their way onto the "New Pyramid." And don't forget the alcohol guidelines, "don't have it for breakfast." :/
Thank you Jess! I couldn't believe the alcohol talking points. I didn't want to get into them because I was afraid I was getting dumber just reading all this stuff. Rough times for the literate!
Too true.
Based on mainstream “new age” content on social media, I’m supposed to be drinking raw organ meat smoothies every day. I’m not sure how all these people went from strict (and judgey) vegan to raw meat in just a few years, but it’s disgusting.
I actually eat some animal protein most weeks due to travel and accessibility issues, but the extreme pivot to the most environmentally destructive foods possible is insane to me. Especially by a former environmental justice attorney. Money is the only explanation.
Exactly! It shows how little critical thinking goes into a lot of people's choices. They're just following the leader and right now, the leaders are getting paid off. Not great for us or the environment.
Great start to 2026 blogs, Michelle! This latest DGA report is a joke. I wish it was a joke, anyway. It retains the saturated fat limit of 10% of calories, but with the recommended protein sources (meat, eggs, full fat dairy) followers of government dietary advice will blow through their limit by lunch. Americans can now rest easy knowing that butter and beef tallow are great sources of healthy fat. Stupid. Most people won’t ever read the DGA, but it sets policy for school lunches and the military. The 2020-2025 DGA (previous version) was 164 pages long. RFK’s masterpiece is 10 pages long. Science takes up too much space. I have been annoyed about this since Wednesday, but I really do appreciate you, Michelle, for bringing your voice and ever present humor to expose this DGA and the administration that created it.
Thank you! You're absolutely right. As dumb as these new guidelines are, they have real implications for our national food policy and how people eat. It's so frustrating but at least we can vent here.
I wish I knew how to attach gifs, because I'd attach the gif of a confused and perplexed Nathan Fillion. There really are now words.
I saw it in my head perfectly lol
You are my people.
Excellent catch on the JBS connection. The pyramid flipping is bad enough on its face, but tying it back to inauguration donors makes the whole stakeholder language crystal clear. I've been following how food policy gets written by industry for years and this feels like they just stopped pretending. The graphic design being that sloppy almost makes it worse becuase it shows how little effort went into the actual science part.
Thank you so much! I couldn't believe they just went and wrote stakeholders. How much clearer do they need to make it?
“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants,” is a well-known quote from Michael Pollan. Hmm… Regardless, the day that I eat what the government tells me to eat, just shoot me.
I couldn't have put it any better.
It's unfortunate that the head of the department is such a nut job and talks mainly about eating more meat and dairy, because there is one sentence in there that makes sense. "Eat real food most of the time". That's pretty basic and smart.
The rest of it? 😬 I am looking forward to Eric Topol diving into all the studies they use to back up their "science".
Yeah I hate that he wraps his pseudo science in a reasonable sounding idea. It fools way too many people.
I know that us very intelligent Potheads will slough off Dr. Brain Worm's new rules, but damn, I fear too many people will follow -- even celebrate -- the new bizarro pyramid. The only thing that might keep people from going by his shitty new pyramid is the price of meat. And thanks for tying in the link to JBS. It figures.