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🥩 Hello Meatlings,
2025 is the year we are anticipating the official reveal of the new USDA dietary guidelines, the government’s “science-based advice on what to eat and drink.” Since the first edition of the guidelines in the 1970s, some 13 to 14% of American adults were obese. Two percent of the population had been diagnosed with diabetes.
Now, after nine editions of these pyramid/MyPlate guidelines and new one coming soon recommended for all Americans, over 40% of American adults are obese, and 8% have been diagnosed with diabetes. Direct medical costs of obesity and diabetes together amount to some $1.4 billion every day.
The highly-anticipated scientific report for the 2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines was finally released mid-December by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (USDA-HHS). The 421-page tome is meant to inform new guidelines due this year, although the task of writing the guidelines policy itself will fall to USDA-HHS political appointees.
Key recommendations in this report include:
Reducing red and processed meats;
Replacing poultry, meat, and eggs with peas, beans, and lentils as sources of protein;
There are no limits on ultra-processed foods; and
Continued caps on saturated fats, to be replaced by vegetable (seed) oils.
The question of whether the expert committee should set limits on ultra-processed foods (UPF) has sparked controversy ever since the group’s final public meeting, when it revealed it couldn’t make a recommendation to restrict these foods, because the evidence on them was “limited.”
This advice does not consider that plant-based proteins are not as complete as those from animals and also not as bioavailable. Plant sources like peas and beans also pack a hefty load of carbohydrates and calories for the same amount of protein, making them a far less healthy option for people with metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes who need to be mindful of controlling their blood sugars.
The expert committee also found that reductions in meat, eggs, and poultry would lead to further shortfalls in vitamins D and E, a significant fact given that the existing guidelines already fail to meet goals for vitamins D and E, folate, choline, and iron.
Most importantly, the evidence used to support new and existing guidelines’ recommendations is insufficient and contradictory.
Three major systematic reviews--on obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease list the randomized, controlled clinical trials (RCTs) to support claims that the US Dietary Guidelines can prevent these conditions in adults. These reviews also support the new recommendation for reducing red/processed meats. Yet the clinical trials listed do not support these claims.
The point about the USDA’s methodology is essential. The flawed approach that lumps indulgent foods like sweets and sugary beverages with meats, processed meats, and high-fat dairy creates a skewed narrative. It leads to the oversimplified and circular logic of advocating for “mostly plants,” ignoring the possibility that certain animal-based foods—when consumed responsibly—could benefit health. This methodology effectively prevents any acknowledgment of the potential health benefits of balanced animal products. Instead, it sets the stage for variations of “mostly plants” or even “all plants” to dominate the conversation.
While Mediterranean and Asian populations had low rates of CHD compared with Western populations (hence, high intakes of vegetables, whole grains, and fish; low intakes of red meat, high-fat dairy, etc.), some Western nations also had low rates of CHD (France and Switzerland, for instance), but consumed traditional diets with plenty of red meat and high-fat dairy. Other traditional populations like the cattle herders of Kenya (the Masai), the reindeer herders of Siberia, the Inuit, or the Native Americans of the Great Plains also ate meat- and fat-rich diets. They were, until their diets were westernized, conspicuously healthy.
Current guidelines continue to fail in improving health outcomes, particularly as diet-related chronic diseases continue to rise, it’s critical to reassess them rather than simply reiterate the same advice. Source Source
✌🏻and ribeyes,
Miranda Ebner MS, LN and The Yes2Meat Team
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📰 News & 🔬 Research
🧠 Earlier type 2 diabetes diagnosis linked to higher dementia risk It’s not just that more of us have type 2 diabetes—we’re developing it at a younger age. About 20% of individuals with T2D are diagnosed before age 40, and this proportion is increasing every year—with catastrophic consequences. A new study found that developing type 2 diabetes at a younger age significantly increases the risk of dementia later in life. NYU researchers followed over 1,200 adults with diabetes for up to 14 years and found that those diagnosed before age 50 were nearly twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those diagnosed at 70 or older. The risk increased steadily the younger someone was at diagnosis—each year earlier meant about a 2% higher dementia risk. Most concerning was the combination of early diabetes and obesity, which led to the highest dementia risk of any group studied. Protecting our metabolic health is one of the most important things we can do to prevent chronic disease and promote longevity.
🍳 Pesticide Buildup in Eggs A study reveals the alarming truth about how pesticides make their way from feed to eggs. Pesticide residues found exceeding Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in conventional eggs and the two primary pesticides identified: Bifenthrin and Difenoconazole. Poultry feed is the PRIMARY source of pesticide contamination in eggs.
☹️ Shocking new statistics on overweight and obesity in the US A new study examining obesity trends in the United States found that 75% of American adults are now overweight and 45% are obese. Even more concerning, close to 50% of adolescents (15-24) and 37% of children (5-14) are overweight, with 25% and 14% obesity rates, respectively. Obesity increases the risk of virtually all chronic, modern diseases, and is associated with a shorter lifespan and lower quality of life. This is even more true when individuals become obese as children or adolescents, because the negative impacts have longer to play out.
🪥 Carrageenan linked to gut permeability and metabolic problems A study from German researchers revealed the effects of carrageenan, a common food additive used in some dairy products, nut milks, coffee creamers, processed meats, ice cream, and toothpaste. In a randomized controlled trial, researchers found that just two weeks of carrageenan supplementation increased intestinal permeability. While the young, healthy participants showed minimal metabolic effects overall, those with higher BMIs experienced reduced insulin sensitivity, particularly in the liver, along with elevated inflammatory markers and signs of brain inflammation. Most worryingly, carrageenan's negative effects on gut integrity occurred without any noticeable symptoms, suggesting that damage could accumulate silently over time. The findings help explain observational studies linking increased carrageenan consumption to higher diabetes risk and validate earlier animal research showing that this widely used additive can trigger inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. And they provide yet another reason to limit intake of processed foods as much as possible.
🍓 New Consumer Reports study reveals pesticide risks lurking in produce A major analysis published last spring by Consumer Reports found concerning levels of dangerous pesticides in some common fruits and vegetables, with 20% of produce samples posing significant health risks. The comprehensive review, examining nearly 30,000 samples across 59 different types of produce, identified particularly high pesticide levels in bell peppers, blueberries, green beans, potatoes, and strawberries. The discovery of a banned pesticide called acephate appearing on green beans at levels up to 100 times higher than what scientists consider safe was most troubling. The investigation also found that imported produce, especially from Mexico, often carried higher pesticide risks than domestic crops. However, there's good news too—nearly two-thirds of produce tested had low pesticide levels, and organic versions were consistently safer. Eating organic produce whenever possible can help reduce your exposure to dangerous pesticides—especially in the case of bell peppers, blueberries, green beans, potatoes, and strawberries.
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