How saturated fats lost, and won, on new food pyramid

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Source: STAT News

Original: https://www.statnews.com/2026/01/08/saturated-fats-controversial-role-in-new-die...

Published: Thu, 08 Jan 2026 20:09:41 +0000

New dietary recommendations limit saturated fat intake to no more than 10% of total daily energy intake.[5] At the same time, they allow and partially support the consumption of full-fat dairy products, red meat and beef tallow, if they are part of an overall balanced diet. Therefore, the recommendations do not distinguish saturated fats by source, but monitor their total amount in the diet. As part of total fat intake, it is recommended that all fats together make up no more than about 30% of daily energy intake, of which saturated fats can make up no more than a third.[5] The document thus combines the traditional restriction of saturated fatty acids with a greater tolerance for certain foods of animal origin. The main emphasis remains on controlling the amount of saturated fat and on the overall composition of the diet, not on the complete exclusion of specific foods.