Less meat, more plants: top US heart body’s diet advice at odds with MahaAmerican Heart Association bucks Trump administration line to suggest prioritizing plant-based protein over meat In contrast to the federal government’s recommendation of use of beef tallow and consumption of red meat, the AHA pushed for plant-based proteins such as legumes, nuts and seeds. Photograph: Allen J Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images The American Heart Association’s new nutrition guidance, released on Tuesday, emphasizes a dietary pattern rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, prioritizing plant-based protein over meat. It also suggests limiting the use of sugar, salt and ultra-processed foods and replacing full fat dairy with non-fat and low-fat dairy. Donald Trump earlier this year announced a new slate of dietary guidelines that recommended Americans eat more protein from both animal and plant sources, and encouraged the consumption of full-fat dairy. In contrast to the federal government’s recommendation of use of beef tallow and consumption of red meat, the AHA is pushing for plant-based proteins such as legumes, nuts and seeds, choosing low-fat or fat-free dairy, and, when consuming red meat, selecting lean cuts, avoiding processed forms and keeping portions small. The Trump administration and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s push to “Make America healthy again” has focused on the removal of synthetic dyes, other chemical ingredients, ultra-processed foods, consumption of less sugar and seed oils. The AHA also suggests Americans choose sources of unsaturated fats, avoid ultraprocessed foods and minimize intake of added sugars in beverages and foods. The organization recommended Americans to prepare foods with minimal or no salt, and limit the intake of alcohol. The guidance also recommended children can and should begin following a heart-healthy dietary pattern starting at one year old. The AHA’s guidance was aligned with the US Food and Drug Administration’s dietary guidelines on major issues, a spokesperson from the FDA said, adding they looked forward to working collaboratively with AHA. The AHA, which is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, releases dietary guidance about every five years to promote cardiovascular health. ARTICLE SOURCE: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/01/american-heart-association-dietary-guidelines-maha
Longevity Doctor Peter Attia Says the Red Meat-Cancer Connection Is Bad Science
Red meat might not deserve its long-standing reputation as a dietary villain, as Peter Attia, M.D., shared on the Triggernometry podcast recently.
Attia is a physician specializing in longevity and optimal health, with a background in surgical oncology and nutritional science. As the founder of Early Medical, he focuses on using research to improve lifespan and health.
Several studies have suggested red meat consumption be linked to colon cancer, diabetes, and other cardiovascular diseases. But, Attia calls this an enduring example of bad science that never dies—especially because epidemiology only identifies associations rather than causations.
"People consuming red meat and people not consuming red meat tend to be proxies, on average, for very different behaviors," Attia says.
He explains that people consuming red meat typically eat more processed foods, while people who avoid red meat usually engage in healthier habits, like eating fruits and vegetables or exercising regularly.
"When you strip all of those things away and you normalize, for say, vegetable consumption, that cancer-causing effect of red meat completely vanishes," he says.
Plus, not all red meat is created equally. Consuming a highly-processed beef jerky sticks or bacon is far different than eating grass-fed beef, he says.
Ultimately, the red meat debate is more nuanced than it’s often portrayed. Attia emphasizes that broad generalizations fail to account for critical lifestyle factors, which significantly influence health outcomes.
"When you just compare people who eat red meat versus people who don't, you're going to get that difference in risk," Attia says. "But, when you start to correct for everything—including for servings of vegetables in a day—all of a sudden, the supposed harm of red meat goes away."
ARTICLE SOURCE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/longevity-doctor-peter-attia-says-the-red-meat-cancer-connection-is-bad-science/ar-AA1xXlO2?
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