Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced updated federal dietary guidelines on Tuesday, though some of the recommendations are being challenged by health experts.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are updated every five years, recommended that Americans limit highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.

Some nutrition and diet experts, however, questioned other recommendations, including consuming red meat and full-fat dairy, a reversal of past nutrition guidance.

They told ABC News that while red meat and full-fat dairy can be part of a heathy diet, they also can be high in sodium and saturated fats, which can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Emphasis on red meat and protein  

In a factsheet released along with the guidelines, the administration said it was recommending that American prioritize eating protein-rich foods with every meal including red meat, poultry, seafood and eggs in addition to plant-sourced protein foods.

This is a stark contrast from past years in which guidelines have encouraged Americans to limit the amount of red meat being consumed.

Nutrition experts contend that red meat is high in protein and contains several nutrients including iron, zinc, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

However, some experts add that red meat is also high in saturated fats, which has been shown to increase levels of "bad" cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.

Additionally, the 2025 Scientific Report -- an independent report written by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee that helps the HHS and Department of Agriculture develop the next set of dietary guidelines -- found that reducing items with saturated fats, such as processed and unprocessed red meat with plant-based protein foods, can lower cardiovascular disease risk.

"I'm concerned about the focus on protein and if we're telling people to have protein at every meal that might increase overall meat consumption, and for many Americans that could also increase saturated fat intake, especially if people lean toward red meat rather than lean cuts of meat, seafood beans, nuts, and seeds as their protein sources," Maya Feller, a registered dietitian based in New York City, told ABC News.

The factsheet also claimed that previous federal dietary guidelines have "demonized" protein in favor of carbohydrates.

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"Protein was never demonized in U.S. dietary guidelines. As it is, Americans are consuming protein in amounts well above the amount that is necessary to sustain health and development," Marie-Pierre St-Onge, a professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, told ABC News.

The guidelines also advise adults to consume between 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.

Feller said there isn't enough evidence to suggest that all Americans need to be consuming that much protein, and that a variety of protein sources is beneficial.

"The majority of the population has one or more non-communicable diseases, which require thoughtful meal planning to adjust macronutrient needs," she said. "Increasing protein intake should include a variety of proteins from both plant and animal sources."

The American Heart Association said in a statement on Wednesday that it welcomes the new dietary guidelines and its emphasis on fruits and vegetables while limiting highly processed foods and added sugars.

However, regarding protein, the AHA said it encourages prioritizing plant-based proteins, seafood and lean meats and to limit high-fat animal products including "red meat, butter, lard and tallow, which are linked to increased cardiovascular risk."

Mixed views on full-fat dairy 

U.S. health officials said during a press conference on Wednesday that full-fat dairy products have been unfairly targeted.

"In this new guidance, we are telling young people, kids, schools, you don't need to tiptoe around fat and dairy," said Dr. Marty Makary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. "You don't need to push low-fat milk to kids."

Dairy contains many nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, protein and vitamins A and D, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  These nutrients help build healthy bones and teeth as well as support immune health.

There is some contention around how much of a risk saturated fat is when it comes to dairy products for all ages. The previous dietary guidelines recommended Americans of all ages consume lower fat or fat-free dairy products when possible.

Feller said the guidance to consume full-fat dairy, such as whole milk, is generally not what she and others in her field recommend.

"I would say that a whole milk recommendation is not ideal for the whole population," she said. "We generally recommend whole milk for people between the ages of one and three and then switching to a reduced fat milk."

She added that if she knows someone has cardiovascular disease, or another medical condition she does not recommend full-fat milk.

Although full-fat dairy does contain higher amounts of saturated fat, some research has found that consuming full-fat milk, yogurt and cheese does not have different effects on risk factors of cardiovascular disease compared to low-fat dairy.

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"The move to allow or recommend full-fat dairy marks a clear break from older guidance that was based more on assumptions about saturated fat than on direct evidence," Dr. Max Peterson, an assistant professor in medicine in the division of endocrinology, metabolism and lipid research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, told ABC News.

"While the change may be controversial, current research does not clearly show that full-fat dairy increases cardiovascular risk, and it may be beneficial for certain populations, including children," he added.

Critics wary of industry influence

Some experts and groups expressed concern that the updated guidelines emphasizing red meat and full-fat dairy may be influenced by industry ties.

A report from HHS discussed the scientific foundation of the guidelines indicates that external experts who were consulted are associated with groups including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Dairy Council (NDC).

In a statement to ABC News, Katie Brown, president of the NDC, said "the latest guidance reflects decades of research showing that nutrient-rich dairy foods -- milk, cheese and yogurt -- at all fat levels fit in healthy eating patterns."

She also said that the NDC does not attempt to influence policy.

The NCBA released a statement on Wednesday celebrating the updated guidelines, including "prioritizing protein at every meal like nutrient-dense beef. Red meat is specifically mentioned as a healthy source of protein in a varied, balanced diet."

NCBA did not immediately reply to ABC News' request for comment.

The nonprofit organization Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine filed a complaint with HHS and USDA, urging the agencies to withdraw the guidelines over claims of industry influence.

The group released a statement, praising the recommendations to emphasize fruits and vegetables but calling on health officials to suggest limiting foods with saturated fats such as animal protein or full-fat dairy.

"The Dietary Guidelines were based on rigorous scientific review and independent oversight," an HHS spokesperson told ABC News in a statement. "It is absurd to suggest that anything other than gold standard science guided our work on this presidential priority."

ABC News' Dr. Radhika Malhotra contributed to this report.