Round Table China

The dietary playbook has changed

27 snips
Jan 20, 2026
A wave of new dietary guidelines has sparked excitement and confusion across the U.S. Hosts analyze the shift towards protein-rich diets and the comeback of whole milk and full-fat dairy. They discuss how the new food pyramid elevates whole foods while addressing strict sugar limits for children. The conversation dives into the impact on school meals and the growing issues of obesity and ultra-processed foods. Additionally, parallels are drawn with China’s food pagoda, highlighting diverse diet considerations and local challenges in food access and advertising.
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INSIGHT

Pyramid Flipped: Real Food First

  • The 2026 U.S. dietary guide flips the old pyramid to emphasize whole foods and proteins over grains.
  • The new consumer-facing 10-page format centers on 'Eat real food' and home cooking as core messages.
ADVICE

Bring Back Whole Dairy And Natural Fats

  • Reintroduce whole milk, full-fat yogurt and natural fats like butter as acceptable when they replace industrial seed oils.
  • Use these fats in place of heavily processed seed oils found in many processed foods.
ADVICE

Cut Added Sugar Strictly

  • Avoid added sugar and non-nutritive sweeteners; limit added sugar to under 10 grams per meal.
  • Children should avoid added sugars until age 10, raising the previous guideline from age 2.
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