Federal recommendations mix traditional nutrition with fresh priorities
US officials released updated dietary guidelines on Wednesday, combining familiar advice with new emphasis. The guidance reflects Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again agenda. It urges Americans to increase protein, select healthy fats, and reduce ultraprocessed foods and added sugar.
Kennedy spoke at the White House, telling Americans to eat real food. He described the guidance as clear, practical, and easy to follow.
The 2020 guidelines spanned nearly 150 pages, offering detailed recommendations for every age group. The new edition condenses guidance to a few pages while being backed by extensive research.
A flipped pyramid redraws dietary priorities
The update introduces a new visual guide. An inverted pyramid places meats, cheese, and vegetables at the top. The design reverses decades of traditional nutrition imagery and replaces the circular MyPlate.
Officials say the guidance can prevent chronic disease or slow its progression. Chronic illness sits at the center of the MAHA movement. The guidelines stress protein intake, lower sugar, and fewer processed foods.
For meal fats, officials recommend oils with essential fatty acids, highlighting olive oil. Butter and beef tallow also appear as acceptable options.
Health groups praise focus but caution on risks
Some experts expressed concern about the emphasis on red meat and full-fat dairy. Others welcomed the focus on ultraprocessed foods.
The American Medical Association praised the spotlight on sugary drinks and ultraprocessed foods, citing their links to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. AMA President Dr. Bobby Mukkamala said the guidance treats food as medicine and provides clear direction for patients and doctors.
The American Heart Association welcomed the emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It supported limits on refined grains and added sugar. The group raised questions about the protein recommendations.
They warned that excess sodium and saturated fat remain concerns, urged caution with red meat and salt, and encouraged low-fat or fat-free dairy for heart health. They called for more research on protein requirements.
Federal nutrition programs prepare for impact
The guidelines affect school meals, WIC, and SNAP programs nationwide. Local health departments will examine the changes closely.
Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, said guidelines help people focus on healthy habits. She cited a persistent obesity epidemic and noted that diet and exercise guidance helps prevent chronic disease.
Core recommendations in the new guidance
Protein intake increases
The 2025–30 guidelines recommend higher protein than before, based on body weight: 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram per day. A 150-pound adult would need 81.6 to 109 grams.
The guidance encourages full-fat dairy without added sugars, recommending three servings daily for a 2,000-calorie diet.
Whole grains, produce, and lower refined carbs
The document advises two to four servings of fiber-rich whole grains daily and a sharp reduction in refined carbs such as white bread, flour tortillas, and crackers.
It recommends three vegetable servings and two fruit servings daily. Whole foods in their natural form are preferred, but frozen, dried, or canned options with minimal added sugar are acceptable.
Ultraprocessed foods are strongly discouraged, including chips, cookies, and candy. The guidelines promote nutrient-dense home-prepared meals and careful choices when dining out.
Guidance for infants and children
Infants should receive breast milk for six months, with iron-fortified formula as an alternative. Breastfeeding may continue up to two years or longer, but formula should stop after 12 months.
Added sugars should be avoided through age ten.
Alcohol guidance emphasizes moderation
The update repeats the 2020 message to reduce alcohol for better health but removes prior gender-specific drink limits.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of Medicare and Medicaid Services, said alcohol can support social connection but emphasized moderation and avoiding daily consumption.
School lunch programs face operational challenges
Schools must meet federal nutrition standards, and the new guidance will influence meals served. The School Nutrition Association warned that strict limits on ultraprocessed foods could strain staffing and infrastructure.
A report showed 93% of programs lack sufficient staff, training, or equipment. Seventy-nine percent reported extreme funding needs. The association urged Congress to increase resources.
Stephanie Dillard, the association’s president, said school meals feed 30 million children daily and urged investment in scratch cooking and fresh foods. USDA must translate the guidelines into meal standards and allow time for implementation.
Cost and accessibility remain central concerns
Kennedy said healthy food can become affordable with education tools guiding families to low-cost options. He warned that processed food may seem cheap but carries long-term costs through obesity, diabetes, and illness.
Experts call for nuance on food processing
Dr. David Seres of Columbia University emphasized that processing exists on a spectrum. He recommended eating foods close to their natural state, from plants, animals, or the sea.
Dairy fat debate returns
Earlier guidance promoted low-fat dairy after age two and capped saturated fat at 10% of calories. The new guidelines retain that cap while calling for more research on fat types.
Studies suggest higher dairy intake may reduce cardiovascular risk. Dietitian Bethany Doerfler said some dairy fats are less inflammatory than other animal fats but add calories. Full-fat dairy is not superior to low-fat options, though it is less harmful than once believed.
Doerfler said diets rich in plants and limited in processed animal proteins protect against obesity, heart disease, and cancer, and she stressed the importance of access to healthy food.
Scientific and environmental concerns persist
Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard warned that promoting high red meat and dairy intake could harm health and the planet. He criticized earlier reports for downplaying sugary drinks but noted the new guidelines discourage sodas, fruit drinks, and energy drinks.
How dietary guidelines evolve
HHS and USDA update the federal dietary guidelines every five years based on evolving research. Clinicians, schools, and SNAP programs rely on them.
Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have encouraged states to restrict unhealthy foods, though readiness and effectiveness remain in question.
Advisory committees typically review research for years before submitting recommendations. Kennedy criticized this process, promising shorter, whole-food–focused guidance.
He also urged Head Start programs to switch to full-fat dairy. A federal report promised advisory reforms, but Willett expressed concern about politicization. He warned that ignoring scientific expertise could undermine trust, citing recent vaccine policy controversies as an example.
