RFK Jr announces new dietary guidelines emphasizing protein, despite critics pointing out there’s no actual war on protein to end.
Washington: RFK Jr says he’s ending the war on protein, but some say it never existed. The new dietary guidelines push for more protein at every meal, starting from 2025 to 2030. The guidelines encourage eating protein from animals and suggest people should avoid ultra-processed foods and added sugars.
Health experts support some of the advice, but they’re worried about recommending saturated fats like those from full-fat milk, butter, and beef, which go against past advice. Kennedy states that the “lies stop today” and insists that protein and healthy fats are important for people’s diets.
However, many Americans are already consuming plenty of protein, and there isn’t a protein deficiency problem in the country. Kennedy’s remarks connect to the MAGA movement, emphasizing body image and fitness. Personal trainer Colin Davis notes that this ties into themes of masculinity and warrior culture.
In August, Kennedy and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth challenged each other by doing fitness exercises online. Additionally, President Trump has linked his movement to fitness by attending UFC events where young men support him. This approach seems to shape a strong, masculine image for the political movement.
Experts believe the stress on animal proteins matches traditional ideals of masculinity, which associate men with eating meat and cooking outdoors. This plays into the political scene by creating aspirations for strong, physically attractive men in traditional roles.