The Food Pyramid Just Flipped. Here's What That Means.

You may have seen that the food pyramid — yes, that thing we were all taught about in elementary school but probably haven't really considered since — flipped earlier this month, when the Department of Agriculture released a new set of dietary guidelines.

While the pyramid many of us grew up with featured a base of grains, the updated version places protein, dairy, and produce at the largest point of the pyramid. This isn’t terribly surprising: We have definitely been more focused on protein and fiber intake in recent years. But what does this mean in a larger context?

Our go-to registered dietician Anna Bohengel weighed in on the changes and the larger implications of them.

“The original U.S. food pyramid (1992) emphasized low-fat eating and placed carb-rich foods at the base. A ‘flipped’ pyramid prioritizing protein, fiber-rich plants, and healthy fats is now touted in the wellness world as a course correction — but an important shift already occurred with the USDA’s MyPlate model (2011), which urged filling half the plate with fruits and vegetables, 25% with protein, and 25% with grains,” she says.

When I saw this news, I found myself wondering if it would really have a major effect. After all, most of us don’t spend much time thinking about the food pyramid in adulthood. And when it comes to messages about what we “should” be eating and prioritizing in our diets? Well, it already feels like the advice is constantly changing.

According to Bohnengel, the overall impact of this is debatable. “Adherence is low, with most Americans’ diets falling well short of recommendations,” she says. “That said, a flipped food pyramid could have ripple effects beyond individual choice — it influences what millions of children and families receive through school meals, WIC food packages, and SNAP.” 

We’ll have to see if policy follows suit, according to Bohnengel. But if it does, we could see public health impact from these revised guidelines.

“We could see more protein, produce, and healthy fats replace ultra-refined grains and added sugars that disproportionately contribute to metabolic conditions and nutrient gaps in low-income communities,” says Bohnengel. “Done well, this shift could strengthen preventive cardiometabolic health at the population level.”