RFK Jr's New Dietary Guidelines Are Red and Fatty

Health

RFK Jr's New Dietary Guidelines Are Red and Fatty

What's going on: The Department of Health and Human Services just took a bite out of bro culture. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled new dietary guidelines yesterday, and this food pyramid looks different from the one we studied in health class. (Naturally, the administration celebrated it with a cartoon meme.) The biggest change? More red meat, full-fat dairy, and beef tallow or butter. The guidelines boost protein targets, in some cases doubling the old recommended amount. Fruits and veggies still make the cut. But RFK Jr. says highly processed foods should be off-limits — and children shouldn’t have added sugar until age 10. HHS updates these guidelines every five years, but this marks the most drastic change in decades.

What it means: Most people don’t plan dinner around a federal chart. But these benchmarks shape meals for the military, prisons, schools, and daycares — and they influence which groceries people on government assistance can purchase. Doctors and nutritionists agree that Americans eat too much added sugar and too many ultra-processed foods, which raise the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. But they part ways with Kennedy on protein and fat. One expert told The Wall Street Journal that most Americans already meet their protein needs, and without strength training, extra protein can turn into stored fat. Saturated fat depends on the source: Some studies link milk and yogurt to weight loss and lower blood sugar. Safe to say hot dogs don’t make the cut. 

Related: How the MAHA Movement Is Changing Motherhood (NYT Gift Link)

The News in 5

🗞️ An ICE agent shot and killed a 37-year-old mother during an immigration operation in Minneapolis, prompting protests and sharply different accounts from federal and local officials. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said he is preparing the state National Guard for potential deployment. The mayor also had some scathing words for the Trump administration.

🗞️ American officials seized two sanctioned oil tankers with ties to Venezuela, including one that was Russian-flagged. A Russian official called it “blatant piracy.”

🗞️ Why a Cold War agreement could help President Donald Trump with his Greenland fixation, even as Europe draws a line. 

🗞️ As if you need one more reason to dread travel… a new study just revealed how unhealthy airline water can be. 

🗞️ Remember when RFK Jr. dumped that dead bear in Central Park? Wired finally got the receipts about the fallout and clean-up.

Money

About Your Ex's Little Crypto Situation…

What’s going on: At some point during a divorce, every couple hits the “wait, what about this?” phase. And if your ex ever mentioned crypto, that question gets louder — whether they were a blue-vested finance bro deep in the blockchain weeds or just dabbling with some coins. CNBC reports that crypto has become one of the messiest marital assets to split, since digital wallets can move instantly and prices swing fast. Lawyers often chase records to figure out what exists, when someone bought the coins, and what they’re worth. Add in tax consequences for selling and fights over whether to hold as values jump or crash — and things get complicated quickly. As if divorce wasn’t messy enough already.

What it means: If your ex had crypto, treat it like any other marital asset — not a hobby they insist was “just for fun.” One big issue? It’s so new for lawyers and exes aren’t always bringing it up. So, ask for records early, before a wallet suddenly “goes missing,” and don’t accept “I don’t remember the login” as an answer. Crypto exchanges (where the money is traded) keep transaction histories, which means the paper trail exists whether they cooperate or not. If coins entered the marriage early, you still need proof of how much their value grew while you were together. Bring in a crypto-savvy forensic accountant or make sure your divorce lawyer knows how to handle digital assets — this is no place for guesswork.

Related: The Trumps Want To Take Their Crypto Operation to the Next Level (WSJ Gift Link)

Money

Seasons of Rent

What's going on: As one of the most underrated musicals of all time reminds us, you can’t buy love, but you can rent it. Millennials and Gen Z seem to embrace that idea across many parts of life. Exhibit A: The booming clothing rental market, recently valued at about $2.6 billion. Nuuly, Rent the Runway, BNTO, and Pickle all appear to be thriving — from Nuuly’s first profitable year to Pickle’s closet-to-closet model now listing more than 230,000 items. Beyond just being an eco-conscious way to try fun, new ‘fits, they allow customers to experiment with quality fashion without the commitment. The downside? Renting often costs less upfront, but more over time. Still, as one expert put it, these days, “style isn’t just about affordability — it’s about discovery, sustainability, and personal expression.”

What it means: The great rental renaissance extends far beyond closets. You can rent a SNOO and stroller for your baby; sparkling glassware and festive decor for the events you host. People loan out sports gear, power tools, and even trumpets. And then there are the classics: Cars and homes, spurred on by an economy where ownership stays out of reach for many. A good and bad thing about this loaning craze: Everything is temporary and experimental. It’s fun to try new things, but nothing replaces the comfort of your favorite, worn-out sweater. As with all things, there’s gotta be balance. That’s why guides and financial calculators can help you decide when to rent vs. buy, especially for big purchases like homes. Think of them as cheat sheets for all the seasons of love, life, and closets.

Related: Are Estate Sales the New Malls? (ELLE)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Two NASA astronauts are going on a nearly seven-hour-long spacewalk outside the International Space Station.

🗓️ Republicans are set to vote on overriding two of President Trump's vetoes.

🗓️ The Traitors is back for season four. Come for the backstabbing and stay for Alan Cumming’s outfits. 

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this Daily Skimm stated two NASA astronauts would take a spacewalk on Thursday, January 8. The planned spacewalk was postponed due to a medical concern with one of the crew members. A new date has yet to be announced.

Know It All

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Game Time

Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.