Fresh guidance keeps old themes but shifts emphasis
US health officials released new dietary guidelines on Wednesday with familiar advice and sharper priorities. The document reflects goals of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again campaign. It urges Americans to eat more protein and healthy fats. It also calls for limits on ultraprocessed foods and added sugar.
Kennedy delivered a blunt message during a White House briefing. He said Americans should eat real food. He framed the guidance as practical and direct.
The previous guidelines from 2020 stretched nearly 150 pages. They offered detailed direction across every age group. The new version spans only a few pages. Agencies plan to back it with extensive scientific documentation.
A redesigned pyramid flips decades of nutrition imagery
The update introduces a new food graphic. An inverted pyramid places meats, cheese, and vegetables at the top. The image reverses long-standing American diet visuals. It also abandons the circular MyPlate model.
Officials say the guidance can prevent chronic disease or slow progression. Chronic illness stands at the center of the MAHA movement. The document stresses protein intake, reduced sugar, and fewer processed foods.
When adding fats, the guidance prioritizes oils with essential fatty acids. It highlights olive oil. It also lists butter and beef tallow as acceptable options.
Mixed reactions from health organizations
Some nutrition experts questioned the focus on red meat and dairy. Others praised the strong stance on processed foods.
The American Medical Association welcomed the emphasis on ultraprocessed foods and sugary drinks. The group linked them to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. AMA President Dr. Bobby Mukkamala said the guidance reinforces food as medicine. He said doctors and patients can use it to improve health.
The American Heart Association praised the focus on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. It also supported limits on refined grains and added sugars. The group raised concerns about protein guidance.
The association warned about excess sodium and saturated fat intake. It urged caution around red meat and salt seasoning. It encouraged low-fat or fat-free dairy for heart health. It also called for more research on protein needs.
Federal programs prepare for ripple effects
The guidance shapes federal nutrition programs nationwide. It influences school meals, WIC, and SNAP. Local health departments will analyze the changes closely.
Lori Tremmel Freeman leads county and city health officials. She said guidelines help people stay focused on health goals. She cited an ongoing obesity epidemic. She said diet and exercise guidance helps prevent chronic disease.
Inside the new dietary recommendations
Higher protein targets take center stage
The 2025–30 guidelines recommend more protein than before. The target depends on body weight. It ranges from 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram daily. A 150-pound adult would need 81.6 to 109 grams.
The guidance favors full-fat dairy without added sugars. It recommends three daily servings on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Fiber, produce, and fewer refined carbs
The document urges two to four servings of fiber-rich whole grains daily. It calls for sharply reducing refined carbohydrates. It names white bread, flour tortillas, and crackers.
The guidance recommends three servings of vegetables and two of fruit daily. It emphasizes whole foods in original form. It allows frozen, dried, or canned options with minimal added sugars.
Ultraprocessed foods receive strong warnings. The guidance urges avoiding salty or sweet packaged foods. It names chips, cookies, and candy. It encourages nutrient-dense foods and home cooking. It advises careful choices when eating out.
Advice for infants and children
Infants should receive breast milk for six months. Iron-fortified formula serves as an alternative. Breastfeeding may continue for two years or longer. Families should stop formula after 12 months.
The guidance urges avoiding added sugars through age ten.
Alcohol guidance stresses moderation
The update repeats a familiar message. It urges less alcohol for better health. It removes previous gender-based drink limits.
Dr. Mehmet Oz oversees Medicare and Medicaid. He said alcohol can help people socialize. He said avoiding alcohol remains healthiest. He advised limiting intake and avoiding daily use.
School meal programs face real constraints
Federal standards require schools to follow nutrition rules. The new guidance will shape school lunches. The School Nutrition Association raised concerns ahead of release.
The group warned against strict limits on ultraprocessed foods. It said schools lack staff and infrastructure for scratch cooking. More than 93% cited staffing and equipment needs.
A recent report highlighted funding pressures. Seventy-nine percent reported extreme funding needs. Directors cited rising costs and labor shortages. The association urged Congress to increase funding.
Stephanie Dillard leads the association. She said school meals bring guidelines to life for 30 million children daily. She urged investment in scratch cooking and fresh foods.
USDA must convert guidance into meal standards. Schools will receive time to implement changes. Spokeswoman Diane Pratt-Heavner outlined that process.
Affordability claims spark debate
Kennedy said healthy food can become affordable. He said the administration plans education tools. Families could find low-cost healthy foods online.
He argued processed food only seems cheap. He said long-term health costs erase savings. He cited diabetes, obesity, and chronic illness burdens.
Experts stress nuance around processing
Dr. David Seres teaches nutrition at Columbia University. He supports limiting ultraprocessed foods. He emphasized nuance in food definitions.
Seres said processing exists on a spectrum. He advised eating foods close to their natural state. He described foods from plants, animals, or the sea.
Dairy fat debate resurfaces
Older guidelines favored low-fat dairy after age two. They capped saturated fat at ten percent of calories. The new guidance keeps that cap. It calls for more research on fat types.
Some studies link higher dairy intake to lower heart disease risk. Dietitian Bethany Doerfler commented by email. She said some dairy fats cause less inflammation. She warned about added calories from full-fat options.
Doerfler said plant-rich diets show protective effects. She cited lower risks for obesity, cancer, and heart disease. She stressed access to healthy food as critical.
Environmental and scientific concerns remain
Dr. Walter Willett teaches nutrition at Harvard. He warned against promoting high red meat and dairy intake. He said such diets harm health and the planet.
Willett criticized earlier reports for downplaying sugary drinks. He noted the new guidance discourages sugary beverages. It names sodas, fruit drinks, and energy drinks.
How dietary rules evolve
HHS and USDA update guidelines every five years. They base updates on evolving research. Clinicians and policymakers rely on them. Schools and SNAP programs use them widely.
Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urged states to restrict unhealthy foods. Retailers and experts questioned readiness. Evidence on benefits remains mixed.
Seres said guidelines evolve with evidence. Observational studies guide early advice. Randomized trials later refine conclusions.
Advisory committees usually review evidence for years. They submit recommendations to agency leaders. Kennedy criticized that process. He promised shorter guidance centered on whole foods.
He also called earlier guidelines antiquated. He urged Head Start programs to use full-fat dairy. A recent federal report promised advisory reforms.
Willett voiced serious concern about those reforms. He praised prior committees for expertise and transparency. He warned against politicized reviews. He cited recent vaccine policy upheaval as a cautionary tale.
