RFK Jr. Declares Protein War Over on National Burger Day, Pushing 1.2-1.6 g Guidance
Updated
Updated · HuffPost · May 29
RFK Jr. Declares Protein War Over on National Burger Day, Pushing 1.2-1.6 g Guidance
3 articles · Updated · HuffPost · May 29
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. used a National Burger Day post on X to say “the war on protein is over” and that “REAL American beef is back on the menu,” sharing a photo of himself grilling burgers.
The message extends a broader administration line: Kennedy has said protein and healthy fats were wrongly discouraged, and a January White House post also said it was “ending the war on protein.”
Federal guidance cited in the report has already shifted toward higher protein intake, from 0.8 to 1.2-1.6 grams per pound of body weight—180 to 240 grams a day for a 150-pound person—though the FDA says adults need at least 50 grams daily.
The post drew skepticism because protein has been heavily marketed for years and beef prices are high, while dietitians quoted in the report said protein needs vary and warned the nutrient’s health halo often outpaces the science.
Experts cited in the story said Americans are more likely over-fixated on protein than deprived of it, and that top sources need not be red meat, which carries higher risks when consumed in excess.
With US guidelines now promoting beef, what do top health experts say about its links to cancer and heart disease?
Behind the government's dramatic shift in dietary advice, how much influence did the meat industry actually have?
As beef sales surge and plant-based meat falters, is the 'real food' movement ending the future of meatless alternatives?