New food pyramid: 23 scientists outline the shared basics of healthy eating

An international team of 23 researchers from North America, Europe and Australia has presented a new food pyramid. The work, published in the journal Advances in Nutrition and reported by Earth.com on Oct. 27, 2026, is led by nutrition scientist Karen Della Corte of Brigham Young University; co-authors include Anette Buyken of Germany's Paderborn University. The team ran no new experiment but reviewed nearly 300 sources, including the national guidelines of Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, China, Australia and the Nordic countries.

The widest layer of the pyramid consists of vegetables and fruit, along with whole grains and traditional grain staples. Next come legumes, nuts, seeds, soy, potatoes and plant oils. For animal foods, the authors suggest up to about two servings a day – dairy, preferably fermented, plus fish, poultry, eggs or lean red meat; for red meat about 15 grams a day. At the top are sugary drinks, sweets, chips and white bread.

Della Corte spoke of "substantial agreement in nutrition science about the foundations of healthy eating." However, the pyramid has not been tested for whether it changes eating habits. Several authors reported financial ties, including to a pasta maker and to groups promoting nuts, soy and pulses. This article is general information, not individual dietary advice.