The food pyramid is back—and according to the headlines, it’s been flipped upside down. But has it really?

In this episode of Unconditional, host Norbie Schickel breaks down the newly released U.S. dietary guidelines and the updated food pyramid, separating media hype from what the recommendations actually say. From claims about beef tallow and full-fat dairy to suggestions that Americans should eat dramatically more meat and protein, Norbie walks through the numbers, the context, and the overlooked details that matter most.

Drawing from personal experience, nutritional research, and a critical review of the original 1992 food pyramid, this episode explores how decades of dietary advice helped usher in ultra-processed foods, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic illness. Norbie compares the old and new pyramids side by side, examining servings of grains, protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and—most importantly—healthy fats.

What’s the real shift behind the new food pyramid?
Why healthy fats—not protein—may be the biggest change.
What the guidelines still fail to address about ultra-processed foods, seed oils, pesticides, and food quality.
How countries like Japan and traditional cultures maintain metabolic health without macro obsession.
Why “real food” matters more than carb vs. fat debates.

This episode goes beyond sound bites to ask the bigger questions: Is this truly a move toward whole foods, or just a visual rebrand? And what would a more honest, useful food framework look like for families, schools, and everyday Americans?

If you’re interested in nutrition, health policy, real food, metabolic health, or questioning conventional dietary wisdom, this conversation will challenge how you think about what’s on your plate.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation about food, fitness, and taking ownership of your health.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The New Food Pyramid 2026 - A Deep Dive

02:59 Why The New Food Pyramid 2026 Matters

07:04 Critique of the Original Food Pyramid

07:36 Introduction to the Food Pyramid Changes

08:29 Does The New Food Pyramid Live Up To the Hype?

12:15 Old Vs New. What's Changed In The New Food Pyramid?

13:26 The New Food Pyramid Is Upside Down

19:46 Comparing Old and New Food Pyramids

22:19 Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables in the New Guidelines

25:11 Dairy and Protein Recommendations

25:36 What Everyone Is Missing About The New Food Pyramid

29:21 Shocking. The New Food Pyramid And Seed Oils

32:10 The Most Shocking Miss Of The New Food Pyramid

34:32 It's Not About Macros, It's About Ultra-Processed Foods

36:46 What About Japan? The Food Spinning Top

39:52 What Would Have Been Better?

42:15 The New Food Pyramid: A Step Forward?

42:41 Conclusion: Taking Aim At The Real Enemy of Ultra-Processed Foods

AI OVERVIEW

In this conversation, Norbie Schickel discusses the new food pyramid and its implications for nutrition and health. He explores the changes from the original food pyramid, emphasizing the importance of real foods and the dangers of ultra-processed foods. Schickel critiques the new guidelines for not adequately addressing food quality and proposes alternative frameworks for understanding nutrition.

#realfood #nutrition #healthpodcast #fitnesspodcast