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
If I haven't learned anything else in my 13 months, I have most definitely learned nothing is carved in stone with this way of eating. It is as individualistic as anything I have ever experienced and within the individual things can change from day to day.
I'm about 96 hours deep into my latest fast. I'm not all that concerned with the weight loss/weight loss potential. My fasting is all about healing and reversing my autoimmune disease now. My first attempts at fasting and the actual fasts I was really looking for the weight loss. I didn't experience near the weight loss I had imagined with not eating for 72-96 hours.
I ate Wednesday night at about 8PM and weighed 223lbs that morning. I hit the gym pretty hard Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. I went heavier on the cardio Friday morning and ramped up the weight and volume on the next two mornings. I'm on 12-hour night shifts since Wednesday. When I woke up this afternoon, I hit the scale at 213. I dropped ten pounds since Wednesday morning.
Energy levels are high. I have not been hungry. This time I have not checked my blood sugar nor the blood ketones. I probably will in the morning.
Each fast has been different in regard to weight loss. I feel like the activity level and gym work has been close to the same. I'm at 10lbs with another day to go. (maybe 2)
At 13 months I'm still learning and still don't feel comfortable giving out advice or, 'this is what someone needs to do', but fasting is a really powerful tool. I think coupled with carnivore is like the bonus plan. The first few hours the body does not have a ton of crap to work thru and getting to fat/ketones probably happens a little quicker and maybe even a tad deeper into ketosis. I'm still amazed (maybe even dumbfounded) by the energy levels while not eating. I'm sure there is a point of diminishing returns but right now at 96 hours I am still fully energetic.
I have not decided how far I plan to go. I may stop at 6 days or maybe stretch it to 7. All depends on how the next two-night shifts go.
Scott