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Updated dietary guidelines raise protein recommendations, but health experts urge caution

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Has the U.S. Department of Agriculture flipped everything you thought you knew about nutrition on its head?

• At first glance, the newly released dietary guidelines featuring a new food pyramid may seem like a protein-first approach to eating well.

• However, registered dieticians and public health experts say the basics are largely the same as the advice author Michael Pollan shared in his book Food Rules.

The U.S. has flipped the food pyramid, and all of a sudden, protein is having a moment. From protein-fortified cereals and snack bars, to high-protein coffee drinks and even soda, grocery store shelves reflect Americas growing fascination with the macronutrient.

Social media influencers tout high-protein meal plans for weight loss, muscle gain, and metabolic health. And now, updated federal dietary guidelines appear to reinforce the trend, raising the recommended daily protein intake from 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight to between 1.2 and 1.6 grams per kilogram.

But nutrition experts caution against mistaking the shift for a green light to load up on steak and cheese.

The increase in protein recommendations doesnt mean weve abandoned everything we know about healthy eating, said Dr. Susan Veldheer, associate professor of family and community medicine and public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine.

The guidelines still limit saturated fats to 10% of daily calories, still recommend five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and emphasize whole grains.

Eating better-quality food

In fact, she says, the new pyramid isnt about eating more protein so much as its about eating better-quality foods especially whole foods while minimizing ultra-processed products.

Ultra-processed foods industrially manufactured products made mostly from refined ingredients and additives include sodas, chips, cookies, candy, lunch meats, and frozen meals. Many are now marketed as high-protein options.

But Americans already exceed recommended limits for saturated fat, Veldheer says, meaning red meat and full-fat dairy cant be the only answers.

You need to find protein sources that are leaner and lower in saturated fat or plant-based, she said. This is particularly important if you are concerned about heart health, managing diabetes, or trying to lose or maintain weightwhich most people are.

Plants are important

Thats where beans, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, quinoa and soy come in. Even leafy greens, whole grains, and fruit contain smaller amounts of protein that add up over the course of a day.

Veldheer likens amino acids the building blocks of protein to coins in a bank.

It doesnt really matter if some amino acids come from broccoli and whole grains and some from steak and yogurt, she says. When you eat steak and yogurt, you get all the different types of amino acids at once, but plants have these protein building blocks too.

While the new guidelines increase general recommendations, experts stress they are just that general.

Individual protein needs vary greatly based on age, health status, medications people are on, and specific conditions they may have, said Angelina Sickora, a registered dietician and clinical nutrition manager at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. What works well for one person may not work well for everyone.

Both Sickora and Veldheer say most Americans already get more than enough protein, even under the updated guidelines. The bigger issue, they say, is where that protein comes from.

Natural, whole-food sources are easier to digest and dont come packaged with added sugars, sodium, or artificial ingredients.

The takeaway? Despite the buzz, the recently revised food pyramid doesnt represent a radical shift. It reinforces a familiar message: prioritize whole foods, limit ultra-processed products, balance protein with fiber, and keep saturated fat in check. In other words, even in a protein-obsessed era, the foundation of healthy eating remains largely unchanged.

The three seller types and how to negotiate with each

• Shop the right windows. Hit Thursday/Friday mornings for first dibs, negotiate around 10:30 a.m. when traffic slows, and circle back late on the final day for rock-bottom please take it pricing.
• Target resale winners. Power tools (DeWalt, Milwaukee), KitchenAid mixers, vintage Levis, solid wood furniture, outdoor gear, and tested vintage electronics consistently outperform random clutter.
• Read the seller fast. De-clutterers = best deals. Optimizers = firm early, flexible late. Sentimentalists = build rapport, bundle gently, and use kindness to close the deal.

Every March, April, and May, neighborhoods across America turn their yards and garages into open-air clearance warehouses.

Closets get cleaned out, and garages get reorganized. Suddenly, every other street has folding tables in the driveway filled with treasures for the taking.

With that said, its important to realize that yardsales arent random chaos. Theyre often quite predictable and they follow some clear patterns. And if you understand the patterns, you can consistently come out way ahead.

Lets break it all down.

Yard sales are all about timing

Show up at the wrong time, and your odds of scoring the best deals decrease significantly.

Here are the three most profitable windows:

1. The early-bird window

Many garage/yard sales start on Thursday morning and run through the weekend.

The tip of showing up on Thursday and Friday mornings is very underrated. Not only will you score first dibs, but many serious sellers prefer weekday sales because the walk-up traffic is lighter, and buyers are more intentional.

Also, if youre targeting tools, collectibles, or brand-name gear, weekday mornings give you first crack before the Saturday crowd rolls in.

On Saturdays, the posted 8 a.m. start time often means 7:30 a.m. in reality. Experienced garage sale shoppers know this. If you show up on time, youre already behind.

2. The negotiation window

By around noon, sellers start recalculating how the day is going. As the morning rush starts to slow down, they begin thinking about having to haul items back inside.

In my experience, this is when bundling a deal works best.

Say something like:

Would you take $20 for all of this?

Be willing to negotiate and dont insult them with a ridiculously low offer. You have some ammo in your pocket when it comes to negotiating as youre solving a labor problem for them later.

3. The liquidation window

This is the final hours of the last day of a yardsale, when sellers are often happy to let stuff go for pennies on the dollar.

By noon or 1 p.m., sellers are tired and want it all gone. If youre polite and decisive, you can land deep discounts because they want closure more than profit.

The three types of yardsale sellers (and how to spot them fast)

Its important to understand that some sellers price their items emotionally, not strategically. This means if they have any sort of emotional attachment to an item, they tend to price it higher than they would otherwise.

Others have zero attachment to stuff and just want it all gone. Then you have some people who price check everything and know all the recent comparable sales on eBay from the past 30 days.

Heres how these three seller types break down:

1.The de-clutterer

The de-clutterer is your BEST opportunity for awesome deals.

They have zero attachment to most items. They want it all gone and tend to price stuff to move.

They are also very open to negotiating a deal with you, especially if youre buying multiple items.

Clues youre dealing with one:

• Organized tables
• Clean and clear pricing
• No long backstories about each item

2. The optimizer

These folks tend to Google everything and are firm in their prices because they know what they have.

If you find yourself dealing with an optimizer, come back during the last few hours of the yardsale and see if theyve changed their tune. Often, a lack of sales will do just that.

3. The sentimentalist

They tend to overvalue items due to memories associated with almost everything theyre selling.

When dealing with a sentimentalist, its best to let them talk. Then throw in a quick little Thats really cool, how long have you had it?

Youre building trust before you ever mention a price. Then instead of lowballing them on one item, say, Would you take $40 for these three? By doing it this way, it feels less like youre discounting the memory.

Then end the deal with a sincere, Itll get used and appreciated. Handling it this way will work much better than pushing for a rock-bottom price.

The items that consistently holdresale value

When looking for items that you can possibly flip for a profit on eBay, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace, remember that not everything has resale upside.

These are the items that you want to target:

• Recognizable brands
• Durable build quality
• Strong secondary market demand

Power tools

Brands like DeWalt and Milwaukee move quickly on eBay. Even heavily-used drills can flip for a decent profit if you dont pay too much for them.

Always do this:

• Check battery compatibility
• Test function
• Inspect for excessive wear

The best brands for resale:

• DeWalt
• Milwaukee
• Makita
• Bosch
• RIDGID
• Hilti
• Festool
• Metabo HPT
• Ryobi
• Craftsman

Pro tip: Keep in mind that a used drill from a quality brand, like DeWalt or Milwaukee, with a newer battery system (like 20V/18V lines), will sell much faster than older, discontinued models. Even if the older model looks practically new.

Small kitchen appliances

Items like stand mixers and high-end blenders hold surprising value. So, if you ever see a KitchenAid, Vitamix, or Cuisinart under $40 (in working condition), thats worth your attention.

Here are the 10 best brands for resale:

• KitchenAid
• Vitamix
• Blendtec
• Breville
• Cuisinart
• Ninja
• Instant Brands (Instant Pot products)
• All-Clad
• Zojirushi (rice cookers hold value)
• Smeg (retro aesthetic = strong demand)

Pro tip: Dont just check to see if it powers on. Run it and listen for things like grinding gears and test it under multiple speeds.

Also, with high-end blenders like Vitamix, make sure it moves smoothly from low to high without hesitation. If you notice that its jerky, loud, or has a burning smell, youre better off walking away.

Apparel

Here are 10 apparel brands that consistently resell well especially on resale platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Grailed, and Depop:

• Levis (vintage, made in the USA)
• Nike (especially stuff made around 2000)
• Patagonia
• The North Face
• Carhartt (Vintage)
• Lululemon
• Filson
• Arc'teryx
• Ralph Lauren
• Vuori

Pro tip: If youre unsure about brands, focus on natural fibers like 100% wool, linen, silk, or cashmere. Fabric content alone can dramatically increase the resale value.

Solid wood furniture

Real wood, dovetail joints, weighty construction. Avoid laminate and particle board unless youre paying almost nothing for it.

Outdoor gear

Think things like coolers, camping stoves, folding chairs, and even lawn equipment.

Here are 10 outdoor gear brands that consistently resell well, especially as spring and summer demand ramps up:

• YETI (coolers & drinkware fly)
• Coleman
• Weber (portable grills do well)
• Goal Zero
• Blackstone
• Big Green Egg
• Osprey (packs & hydration)
• Hydro Flask
• EGO (battery-powered tools sell fast)
• Traeger

Pro tip: List camping stoves, coolers, folding chairs, and lawn equipment in MarchMay when buyers are gearing up for trips and backyard projects. Youll get much faster flips and higher prices.

Vintage electronics

Older stereo receivers, record players, and game consoles often outperform expectations. However, test before buying if at all possible.

Here are 10 vintage electronics brands that consistently resell well, especially if fully tested and working:

• Pioneer Corporation (vintage receivers are hot)
• Marantz
• Sansui Electric
• Technics (turntables = strong demand)
• Sony (Walkman, Discman, early consoles)
• Nintendo (NES, SNES, GameCube)
• Sega (Genesis systems sell steadily)
• Yamaha Corporation
• Panasonic (including vintage boomboxes)
• Kenwood

Pro tip: Always ask if you can test the electronic before you buy it. Most sellers are happy to run an extension cord for you if they dont already have one nearby.

Once you get it plugged in, check all the channels on stereo receivers, test the inputs, confirm turntable speeds (33/45), and make sure game consoles power on and try to play a game if you can.

Keep in mind that listings that include the word untested often read as probably broken for interested buyers. Try to avoid the word untested if possible.

Real work-from-home jobs no degree or years on your resume required and where to find them

• Remote work opportunities that dont require prior experience do exist and span a wide range of roles.

• Employers are hiring now for entry-level positions you can do from anywhere with a laptop and internet.

• Your existing skills even non-traditional ones can help you stand out, even if you havent held a formal job before.

Finding a remote job can feel overwhelming when youre just starting out or switching careers, especially if you dont have a traditional resume stocked with experience.

But heres the good news: you dont have to wait years to start working from home.

There are legitimate opportunities that dont require prior professional experience and companies are actively hiring right now. These arent make money fast schemes or vague side hustles; theyre real remote positions that often offer competitive pay and chances to grow into a long-term career.

Career experts at FlexJobs put together a list of the top 25 remote jobs including companies that are hiring right now that require no prior experience. ConsumerAffairs also spoke with Toni Frana, a career expert at FlexJobs to learn more about the opportunities that currently exist.

Landing a job requiring little to no prior experience offers people many positive opportunities, Frana said.

First, jobs that dont require experience give new professionals the ability to launch their career. These roles also give anyone the opportunity to try something new, or something they have been passionate about and had previously considered making a move, but were unsure how to do so without having a lot of experience.

Creating the list

To create this roundup of remote opportunities, FlexJobs pulled from the latest career research and its own database of active remote roles that list no experience required or are considered entry level. The final list included a diverse mix of jobs that:

• Are fully remote and available now

• Dont insist on prior industry experience, and

• Match real job listings with data on average pay ranges.

Top 25 remote jobs no experience needed

Heres how the list panned out:

1. Administrative Support ~$46,994

2. Appointment Setter ~$40,775

3. Billing Support ~$53,847

4. Bookkeeping Assistant ~$50,290

5. Call Center Representative ~$42,860

6. Chat Support Specialist ~$43,579

7. Collections Representative ~$53,052

8. Community Engagement Coordinator ~$51,091

9. Customer Service Representative ~$45,864

10. Data Entry Specialist ~$41,156

11. Gaming Support Roles ~$52,226

12. Graphic Design Assistant ~$53,910

13. Insurance Claims Support ~$62,812

14. IT Help Desk Support ~$58,478

15. Marketing Assistant ~$52,584

16. Onboarding Coordinator ~$53,675

17. Proofreader ~$51,295

18. QA Tester ~$68,400

19. Research Assistant ~$63,686

20. Remote Sales Representative ~$52,371

21. Social Media Associate ~$54,642

22. Transcriptionist ~$48,711

23. Translator ~$54,612

24. Virtual Assistant ~$50,502

25. Writer/Content Creator ~$63,753

Making the most of these opportunities

Frana explained that if a role doesnt require experience to get started, it doesnt mean the experience you gain while in the role wont set you up for success and career growth.

For example, when in a support role like customer service, data entry, or IT support, its absolutely possible to grow into a larger role, she said. Getting promoted, or becoming a supervisor from a support role, happens a lot as many companies are interested in retaining and developing the best employees. In fact, many times, companies prefer to give opportunities to current employees.

Portion size, protein, and price all tell a different story

• Whataburger delivered the best burger value at $1.66 per ounce proving the lowest menu price isnt always the best deal.

• Shake Shack had the best fry value thanks to bigger portions, while Sonic Drive-In ranked as the priciest per ounce of French fries.

• For staying power, Smashburger led in protein density which translates to a more filling burger for the amount spent.

A burger and fries used to be considered a cheap eat. Now it can easily run you $12$18 if youre not paying attention.

New research from NetCredit looked at 14 of Americas biggest burger chains and did something most of us never do: they weighed the patties and fries, then calculated the price per ounce, not just the sticker price.

Translation: The cheapest burger on the board isnt always the best deal. And the most expensive fries might actually give you more food for your money.

Heres what surprised me and how you can use it to your advantage.

Best burger value: Whataburger (yes, really)

At first glance, Whataburgers classic burger, coming in at $5.92, doesnt screamgreat value.

But their patty weighs a hefty 3.56 ounces. This is easily the biggest of the 14 chains studied. This comes out to $1.66 per ounce of meat, the best overall value.

Meanwhile, McDonald's has the thinnest patty coming in at just 1.06 ounces. The burger is cheap though, as youre only paying $1.91 per ounce. This weigh-in scored Mickey Ds a second-place finish in the study for best value. Its a solid result, just not the slam dunk most people assume.

The takeaway: Dont only judge a burger by the menu price. The best value is determined by how much protein you get for the price of the burger.

Quick breakdown of thePrice Per Ounce of Patty:

1. Whataburger $1.66/oz
2. McDonalds $1.91/oz
3. Smash Burger $1.96/oz
4. Burger King $1.99/oz
5. Wendys $2.21/oz
6. Culvers $2.22/oz
7. Shake Shack $2.27/oz
8. Dairy Queen $2.38/oz
9. Carls Jr. $2.39/oz
10. Jack in the Box $2.45/oz
11. Sonic Drive-In $2.46/oz
12. In-N-Out Burger $2.91/oz
13. A&W $3.13/oz
14. Five Guys - $3.59/oz

Best fry value: Shake Shack (plot twist)

Youd expect budget chains to win fries. Not the case.

Shake Shack gives you a ton of fries for the price. 6.17 ounces to be exact, for a regular-sized (medium) portion. That comes out to $0.40 per ounce, making them the clear winner.

At the other end? Sonic Drive-In, where fries averaged 2.54 ounces and cost about a whopping $1.27 per ounce.

And for the eternal debate:

• Burger King fries are about 15.6% cheaper per ounce than McDonalds.
• McDonalds medium fries averaged 3.99 ounces for $3.54, which translates to about $0.89 per ounce.

The takeaway: Portion size swings wildly. The cheap fry isnt always cheap per bite.

Quick breakdown of Price Per Ounce of Fries:

1. Shake Shack $0.40/oz
2. Culvers $0.50/oz
3. Five Guys $0.54/oz
4. In-N-Out Burger $0.64/oz
5. Smash Burger $0.66/oz
6. Wendys $0.69/oz
7. Burger King $0.77/oz
8. Jack in the Box $0.81/oz
9. McDonalds $0.89/oz
10. A&W $0.89/oz
11. Carls Jr. $0.92/oz
12. Whataburger $0.99/oz
13. Dairy Queen $0.99/oz
14. Sonic Drive-In - $1.27/oz

Most protein per bite: Smashburger

Heres where it gets interesting.

Even though Whataburger had the biggest patty, it didnt win on protein density.

That title went to Smashburgers All-American Smash, which has 15.7 grams of protein per 100 grams of burger. This is nearly double Whataburgers protein density once you factor in the bun and all the toppings.

Bigger doesnt automatically mean more filling, especially when you consider things like thick buns and large slices of tasteless tomatoes and onions.

The takeaway: If youre trying to stay full longer (and avoid ordering just one more thing), protein per dollar absolutely matters.

How to order smarter (without killing the fun)

If youre treating yourself for a delicious burger and fries, heres how to order smart and stretch your fast-food dollar:

1. Think price per ounce, not price per item.

A $6 burger thats twice as big can beat a $3 burger on actual value.

2. Split the fries.

Chains like Five Guys and Shake Shack serve big portions. Be sure to share them and instantly cut your cost per person.

3. Prioritize protein.

Higher-protein burgers may keep you feeling full for longer, which reduces the urge to add nuggets, dessert, or even a second sandwich.

4. Skip the automatic make it a combo.

Do the quick math before you order, as sometimes buying the burger and splitting fries is cheaper than two full meals.

5. Watch the upsell traps.

Things like extra cheese, bacon, and premium sauces can easily add $2$4 to your burger.

Inside the new AI features turning your Android phone into a real-world assistant

• Gemini can now handle real tasks like ordering food or booking an Uber.

• The feature works by automating steps inside apps you already use.

• There are limits for now its beta, on select phones, and under your control.

If youve ever wished Siri or your digital assistant could actually take care of things for you like ordering takeout or hailing a ride Googles newest upgrade to Gemini might feel like magic.

With the latest Android update, Gemini isnt just answering questions anymore it can execute multi-step tasks inside other apps, so you spend less time tapping menus and more time doing literally anything else.

Ordering food, hailing rideshares

Traditionally, asking an AI assistant to order food would get you a link, a suggestion, or maybe a list of restaurants. Now, with this new capability rolling out in beta on the Gemini app (starting with select Android devices like the Pixel 10 line and Samsung Galaxy S26 series), Gemini takes your prompt and runs the actual process inside the app for you.

If you say something like order my usual from DoorDash or get me an Uber home, Gemini opens the relevant app in a secure, virtual window, walks through the steps, and prepares the order or ride.

You as the user can watch it live via notifications, take control at any time, or let it finish the task and then confirm the final step yourself a safety-first setup that keeps you in the drivers seat.

This agent-style feature is still early and limited: its only available in the U.S. and Korea for now, and only works with certain food delivery, grocery, and rideshare apps. But its a big step toward making AI assistants feel like real helpers, not just tools for answers.

Gone are repetitive taps and screen jumping; with Gemini, much of the busywork happens behind the scenes while you keep scrolling or answering texts.

What consumers should know:

• Its opt-in and controlled by you. Gemini wont start automations without a clear command, and you can kill a task anytime if you see a hiccup.

• Not every phone or app supports it yet. Beta features often expand over time, but compatibility at launch is limited.

• Future updates could broaden what Gemini handles. Beyond ordering food and rides, scheduled tasks and broader agent features are part of Googles longer roadmap for the assistant.

For consumers, this means a sneak peek at a future where you dont just ask your phone for help you get it. Whether its dinner on the way home or a ride waiting when you step outside, the convenience factor here is undeniable and its just getting started.