In 1992, the United States Department of Agriculture released its own version of Sweden’s 1974 food pyramid, naming it the Food Guide Pyramid. It was later changed and renamed to MyPyramid in 2005 and MyPlate in 2011. Then, to the most recent modification, the pyramid was flipped upside down in January of 2026 by the US Department of Health and Human Services secretary Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., with the aim to Make America Healthy Again as his driving goal as secretary.
The earliest versions of the pyramid had things like whole grains and most carbohydrates at the bottom. This portion includes things like bread, pasta, and rice. Then one “level” above that is a split layer including an equal amount of fruits and vegetables. These provide lots of necessary vitamins and nutrients for your body’s overall health. Something to note is that as you go up the pyramid, the food groups on the lower levels are of higher importance and are meant to be eaten in higher volumes over the course of the day. Then, one step above fruits and veggies is another split layer that focuses on foods made mostly of animal products. This includes things like dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, or meat and fish. These provide protein and fats to rebuild your body’s muscle and general tissue, as well as long-term energy and a protective layer for your body. Lastly, on top are more processed foods that provide less nutritional value, like processed sugars and oils that are meant to be eaten in small amounts.
Over time, the pyramid underwent different changes, but now it has been flipped upside down. At the bottom, with the small portion is whole grains, and the rest of the pyramid is about equally made up by fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and full-fat dairy.
RFK Jr. stated in an interview shown on WPRI that he is doing this to keep people away from dangerous and highly processed foods with extra additives, sugars, and excess salt that are a health risk to the body. He also wants an increase in fruits and vegetables consumed because they help prevent disease and are necessary for the body to function.
However, certain people disagree with many parts of this pyramid. For one, it does not make sense to have the pyramid flipped upside down as a general rule. Some people think that it looks stupid, and South Park even made fun of the upside-down pyramid 12 years before it happened in episode 2 of season 18 titled Gluten Free Ebola. However, onto the main issue in terms of health with the pyramid. It promotes certain foods that can be very calorically dense and high in fat. This increase in calories that they are promoting can lead to heart issues and weight gain, which is something that RFK Jr. claims to be going against. He also claims that people should stop being afraid of saturated fats, but the American Heart Association still says that saturated fats, which primarily come from full-fat dairy and red meat, can lead to heart issues. He also advises 1.2-1.8 grams of protein per kg of body weight, which is a 50-100% increase over the prior recommendation. This means to maintain weight, a person must exercise more to make up for the extra food consumed or replace pieces of their diet with protein. This comes with issues because it would likely replace carbohydrates that are less valued in the new pyramid, but add the necessary energy for a person to go about their day. Overall, from a medical standpoint, RFK Jr.’s new health pyramid is viewed more as a fad than as a serious approach to health.
