The guidelines continue to heavily emphasize grains and plant-based oils like canola, soybean, and sunflower oils, recommending them as part of a “healthy diet.” From Goodnight’s Red River perspective, this emphasis is problematic because these oils are processed and high in omega-6 fatty acids, contributing to inflammation when consumed in excess. Additionally, the encouragement of refined grains, including “enriched” forms, contrasts with Goodnight’s focus on entirely avoiding grains and processed foods. The FDA’s guidelines support processed grains and seed oils, which aligns with criticisms of industrial interests influencing these recommendations.
The guidelines advocate for low-fat dairy and lean meats while limiting saturated fat to under 10% of total calories. From Goodnight’s Red River viewpoint, this contradicts the promotion of whole, nutrient-dense foods like full-fat dairy, pasture-raised meats, and traditional fats (butter, ghee, tallow), which are more aligned with ancestral diets. The continued demonization of saturated fat aligns with outdated science, and many argue that this is maintained due to pressure from industries that benefit from low-fat, processed alternatives.
While the guidelines emphasize “nutrient-dense” foods, they allow for moderate consumption of processed foods and beverages containing added sugars and refined grains within calorie limits. This approach is insufficient from the #FoodLies critique, as it still legitimizes the presence of highly processed foods in the average diet, reinforcing the idea that the FDA is still too lenient due to industry influence. It reflects a revolving door between regulators and food corporations, allowing for guidelines that benefit processed food manufacturers while making meaningless incremental, insufficient changes.
The FDA guidelines emphasize customization and flexibility to meet personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary considerations. While this sounds accommodating, it can also dilute the urgency for more robust dietary reforms by making concessions that maintain unhealthy elements in the diet (e.g., added sugars and refined grains). Critics argue that by not being more explicit in cutting out these unhealthy foods, the guidelines leave too much room for harmful consumption patterns to persist, again favoring industry profits over public health.
Despite including protein foods like lean meats and poultry, the guidelines downplay the importance of high-quality, pasture-raised animal proteins that Goodnight’s Red River advocates for. Instead, they lump these in with plant-based proteins like soy products and legumes, which undermines the nutrient density of grass-fed meats and wild-caught fish, crucial for an animal-based diet.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines may represent a illusionary step toward improving public health but are still far from the mark in combating FDA #FoodLies. They continue to cater to food industry interests by not fully addressing the dangers of processed grains, seed oils, and sugar, all while promoting a low-fat, grain-based diet that has been criticized for decades. From Goodnight’s Red River‘s perspective, the guidelines fall short of encouraging a truly nutrient-dense, animal-based diet that promotes optimal health.