Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a new food pyramid earlier this month as part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, signaling a shift in dietary recommendations towards increased fat and protein consumption, while discouraging processed carbohydrates and added sugar. This initiative is expected to significantly influence American eating habits, but it is not the only factor at play, according to Liz Dunn, author of the newsletter Consumed. In a recent interview on the podcast "Today, Explained," Dunn shared her predictions for how Americans will be eating in 2026, considering both the impact of MAHA and other emerging trends.

Dunn anticipates that the focus on protein will intensify, even after reaching what some might consider "peak protein." "What comes after peak protein will be more protein," Dunn stated, suggesting that the emphasis on protein-rich diets is likely to continue and potentially expand.

The MAHA movement, driven by the government's desire to improve public health, aims to reshape the American diet. The inverted food pyramid prioritizes fats and proteins, particularly those derived from animal sources. This represents a significant departure from previous dietary guidelines that often emphasized carbohydrates.

However, Dunn's predictions also include trends that may contradict the MAHA initiative. She suggests that sugar-laden drinks, despite being discouraged by the new guidelines, are likely to become even sweeter. This indicates a potential challenge for the MAHA movement in fully achieving its goals, as consumer preferences and market forces may push in different directions.

The interview with Dunn explored a range of predictions, some aligning with the MAHA philosophy, such as increased consumption of supplements, and others diverging from it. The full conversation is available on "Today, Explained" on various podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify. The future of American eating habits appears to be a complex interplay of government initiatives, consumer choices, and evolving food trends.