New heart health guidelines at odds with MAHA food pyramid: Which should you follow?

(NEXSTAR) – New guidance released by the American Heart Association this week outlines nine key tenets of a heart-healthy diet, several of which contradict the federal nutrition guidelines released by the Trump administration earlier this year.

In January, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled an upside-down food pyramid that emphasized the importance of protein, healthy fats and produce over carbs and sugar.

While the American Heart Association agrees with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement on some key points, the organization’s 2026 guidelines breaks from the dietary advice promoted by RFK and his allies when it comes to fat, protein sources and more.

USDA vs. AHA guidelines

First, let’s talk about the diet rules both sets of guidelines agree on:

Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables

Choose whole grains over refined flours

Minimize consumption of ultra-processed foods

Minimize added sugar in snacks and drinks

But there are some key........

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