Eat more plant-based protein instead of meat, top heart health body says, contradicting RFK, Jr.

Eat More Plant Protein Than Meat, Heart Health Organization Says, Contradicting RFK, Jr.

By Tanya Lewis edited by Claire Cameron

America’s leading heart health organization just released new guidelines that emphasize eating more plant-based proteins rather than meat and drinking less alcohol.

The American Heart Association’s (AHA) recommendations, which are largely similar to the AHA’s previous 2021 guidelines, directly contradict aspects of the recently revamped food pyramid that was announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in January: These latest guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture call on Americans to consume more red meat and whole milk. Diets high in saturated fats, such as those found in animal proteins like red meat, have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and other health problems.

“This advice is what the AHA — and dietary guidelines — have been saying for decades,” says Marion Nestle, professor of food and nutrition studies at New York University.

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“In contrast, RFK, Jr.’s new dietary guidelines are a radical departure from long-standing advice in that they recommend more protein…, more meat, more full-fat dairy products, and more other sources of saturated fatty acids, such as butter and beef tallow,” she adds.

However, the AHA and revised food pyramid also reinforce existing recommendations regarding the consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains.

« The American Heart Association program [guidelines are] aligned with dietary guidelines [from HHS and the USDA] on the main issues: eating real food, avoiding highly processed foods, and limiting refined grains and added sugar,” HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a statement to Scientific American. “We look forward to working collaboratively with the AHA to evangelize these fundamental principles and reverse the epidemic of diet-related chronic diseases.” »

The AHA’s latest recommendations were released today in Traffic. They outline nine key factors for a healthy diet that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic health problems. This involves adjusting your energy intake according to your activity level; eat lots of fruits and vegetables; choose whole grains over refined carbohydrates; switching to healthy protein sources, including choosing plant-based protein sources over meat, as well as consuming seafood and low-fat or fat-free dairy products; prioritize unsaturated fats over saturated fats; avoid ultra-processed foods; minimize added sugar; eat less salt; and limit alcohol or don’t drink at all if you don’t already.

The similarity between the AHA’s 2026 guidance and its 2021 recommendations is somewhat intentional. “We have seen that the science supporting these guidelines has gotten stronger. The stronger body of evidence leads to some nuanced, but important, updates that ensure the guidelines remain aligned with the most current and robust science in diet and cardiovascular health,” said Alice H. Lichtenstein, volunteer chair of the scientific statement writing committee for the new AHA recommendations and senior scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, in a press release.

The new guidelines also recommend using plant-based oils such as those from nuts, seeds and avocados instead of saturated fats. Kennedy previously touted beef tallow as a healthy source of fat, a claim most nutrition experts reject.

“Science continues to show that replacing unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids with saturated fatty acids reduces blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease,” says Nestlé. As for protein, she adds, most Americans eat plenty of it and don’t need to worry about it. “I see the emphasis on protein [in the new food pyramid] as a euphemism for meat and red meat at that. The AHA wants people to understand that plant sources of protein are healthier.

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