Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently unveiled a new food pyramid as part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, signaling a shift away from processed carbohydrates and added sugar towards increased fat and protein consumption. This initiative is poised to significantly reshape American eating habits, but it is not the only factor influencing the future of food consumption.

Liz Dunn, author of the newsletter "Consumed," shared her predictions for how Americans will eat in 2026 on the podcast "Today, Explained," offering insights into trends that align with and diverge from the MAHA agenda. Dunn anticipates a continued emphasis on protein consumption, even beyond what she terms "peak protein."

According to Dunn, the focus on protein is not waning. "What comes after peak protein will be more protein," she stated, suggesting that the current trend is likely to intensify rather than diminish.

The MAHA movement, driven by the inverted food pyramid, advocates for a diet rich in fat and protein, particularly from animal sources. This represents a significant departure from previous dietary guidelines that emphasized carbohydrates.

Dunn's predictions also include trends that may conflict with the MAHA initiative. She suggests that sugar-laden drinks will become even sweeter, a development that would likely be met with disapproval from Secretary Kennedy Jr.

The conversation with Dunn on "Today, Explained" covered a range of topics related to the future of food, with the full podcast available on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify. The discussion provides a comprehensive look at the various forces shaping American eating habits, from government initiatives to consumer preferences.