There’s been a shake-up in the nutrition world, and this time, the guidelines are practically handmade for meat-eaters.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services just released the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the first major reset of federal nutrition advice in years.

But what stands out most to us, Dead Meat Society members? Protein, including red meat, is no longer buried at the bottom of a plate graphic or hidden behind confusing labels. It’s right up near the top of the new food pyramid.

For the first time in decades, federal guidance is telling Americans to “eat real food,” prioritize high-quality protein at every meal, and avoid highly processed junk.

BACK TO BASICS AND TOPPED WITH PROTEIN

The updated guidelines ditch the old MyPlate graphic in favor of a revamped food pyramid that flips the old pyramid (remember this?) upside down.

  • Protein gets priority: Dietary guidance now recommends 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, a big jump from previous standards. That translates into putting meat on the menu more often and in adequate portions.

  • Real food first: The government is clear: avoid highly processed foods, added sugars, and artificial additives. The exact opposite of boxed snacks and fast food.

  • Healthy fats are back: Full-fat dairy and traditional fat sources are listed as acceptable in moderation. Yes, that includes butter and beef tallow.

That doesn’t mean you can deep-fry everything or ignore balance, but it does put protein, fat, and by extension, meat, back at the center of a sensible eating habits.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MEAT EATERS (AND GRILLERS)

For backyard pitmasters and grill lovers, it’s validating to see meat explicitly recognized:

  • Red meat isn’t a villain: Meat is listed among “high-quality proteins,” alongside poultry, seafood, and dairy.

  • Balanced fats are welcomed: Full-fat dairy and traditional fats are components of real food.

  • Processed junk is the enemy: The guidelines reiterate what good BBQ lovers already know: avoid processed foods and added sugars.

Whether you're firing up a brisket, reverse searing a steak, or planning a smoke session, the push toward real, protein-rich food plays right into how many of us already think about meals.