Special Report: Saturated fat guidance sparks confusion in new Dietary Guidelines

In episode 3 of this Special Report, Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, joined Catherine McManus, PhD, RDN, LD, and Viet Le, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, FACC, to examine how the 2025–2030 US Dietary Guidelines address saturated fat—and why visual messaging may be creating confusion for clinicians and patients alike.

The panel noted that the recommendations for saturated fat remain unchanged from prior iterations, with a clear guardrail of limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of total daily calories. Le emphasized that this threshold provides important context as protein intake is discussed more prominently in the guidelines. “That should guide you back to quality,” he explained, particularly when weighing animal versus plant-based protein sources.

McManus expressed concern that the visual food guide accompanying the guidelines may inadvertently contradict this recommendation. She noted that the portion sizes and emphasis on red meat and skin-on poultry depicted in the image would make it nearly impossible for most individuals to remain within the 10% saturated fat limit. This misalignment, she said, risks confusing consumers and clinicians who rely on visuals to reinforce dietary messaging.

The discussion also addressed controversy surrounding liquid fats such as butter, beef tallow, and olive oil. McManus stressed the importance of dietary variety, cautioning against overemphasis on any single fat source—even those widely regarded as healthful. She emphasized that consuming a range of fats supports nutritional adequacy and aligns better with evidence-based dietary patterns.

Le added that the omission of specific oils in the shortened guidelines should not be interpreted as exclusion, noting the challenge of balancing specificity with brevity in an 11-page document. Both experts agreed that these debates highlight the need for clinician-led nuance and individualized counseling, particularly given wide variability in lipid responses to saturated fat intake.

Sloan underscored the role of personalized nutrition and medicine, noting that patients can respond very differently to similar diets. The panel agreed that while population-level guidelines provide a framework, clinicians must individualize recommendations and closely monitor cardiometabolic markers to guide safe and effective dietary choices.

Our Experts:
Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, pediatric physician assistant and registered dietitian; host of The Exam Room Nutrition Podcast.
Catherine McManus, PhD, RDN, LD, assistant professor of nutrition, Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Viet Le, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, FACC, preventive cardiology physician assistant and associate professor of research, Intermountain Health.