US Department of Health says the Food Pyramid has turned upside down

The US Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture have revealed a new approach to the food pyramid on January 7, 2026. Previously the classic food pyramid had grains and cereals on a broad base, with fruits and vegetables on a smaller layer above, followed by dairy, meat, beans and nuts, and at the top, the smallest layer had fats, oils, and sugar. 

Now, according to the US departments mentioned above, the food pyramid is inverted. Meat, full-fat dairy, olive oil, and vegetables stand at the broad top, and grains and fruits at the smallest section of the inverted pyramid, at the bottom. 

What does the new US based food pyramid mean?

The selling point for the new guidelines that come with the new pyramid is to “eat real food”. There is also a huge spotlight on proteins (protein-maxxing if you will), and avoiding ultra-processed foods. Although this new approach does not sound too problematic at first, there are restrictions in portions that might contradict the pyramid itself. 

The guidelines recommend no more than 10 percent should come from saturated fats, which might prove difficult if meats and high fat dairy products are the biggest focus of the new pyramid. 

The main point that can be beneficial to take from this new inverted pyramid is to eat more healthy fats and lower the sugar consumption. All in all, there seems to be little evidence yet to support these guidelines scientifically from a nutritionist’s point of view.