Hospitals Face New Federal Dietary Guidelines Prioritizing Animal Proteins

Federal dietary guidelines released this year direct hospitals to prioritize nutrient-dense proteins including red meat, eggs and full-fat dairy at each meal. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said at a March press conference that hospitals were mandated to follow the new guidelines.

He stated that the guidelines encourage consumption of foods such as red meat and full-fat dairy. Several hospitals had already implemented plant-based default programs before the federal change. NYC Health + Hospitals served more than 2.8 million plant-based meals since 2022, with a reported 98 percent satisfaction rate among patients who selected those options in 2025.

Default co-founder Katie Cantrell said patients are offered plant-based meals as the recommended option but can request meat or dairy. The organization partnered with Sodexo to implement plant-based programs at 400 U.S. hospitals. The programs reported a 36 percent reduction in carbon emissions and savings of 59 cents per meal.

Cantrell stated the group is expanding to rural hospitals in the Midwest and healthcare systems in British Columbia and the United Kingdom.

Clinical Views Differ Dr.

Michael Klaper said an increase in animal products could lead to higher rates of colon cancer, heart attacks and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn stated that plant-based diets can lower blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. HHS Press Secretary Emily G.

Hilliard said the guidelines support a range of animal and plant protein sources. Dr. Anna Herby noted that hospitals retain clinical autonomy under the new rules and that the guidelines mention minimally processed plant-based options.