New Federal Dietary Guidelines Emphasize More Protein
A set of new dietary guidelines released this week by the federal government emphasizes the importance of protein and healthy fats while limiting the consumption of added sugar and highly processed foods. Here is a look at the new guidelines and how they differ from past recommendations.
New Dietary Guidelines Emphasize Protein and Whole Foods
While the latest U.S. dietary guidelines set forth on Wednesday reiterate past recommendations, they also include some of the key tenets of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement. This advice includes the prioritization of healthy fats and what Kennedy calls "real food."
The previous 2020 guidelines encompass nearly 150 pages of advice with detailed instructions about how to eat healthy foods at every age. The latest joint effort between HSS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is only a few pages; however, supplemental information with research is included in the release.
The new update reverts to the classic inverted pyramid of foods that many Americans grew up using. Meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables are at the top of the pyramid with whole grains anchoring the bottom.
Government officials said that the new guidance is designed to prevent or slow the rate of chronic disease in the country. In addition to a focus on whole foods, the guidelines also offer suggestions about prioritizing healthy oils containing fatty acids. Other healthy fats mentioned in the guidelines include beef tallow, a common recommendation offered by Kennedy.
While some health experts questioned the emphasis on dairy and red meats, some of the most important voices in the industry gave their nod of approval to the updated guidelines. For example, the American Medical Association (AMA) said that it applauds the new guidelines for highlighting the danger of overly processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Likewise, the American Heart Association (AHA) said that it agrees with the prioritization of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while limiting added sugars, processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats. However, the AHA raised concern about the new recommendations for increased protein consumption, particularly around red meat. The AHA said that it recommends that Americans prioritize plant-based proteins, lean meats, and seafood, limiting consumption of red meat, butter, and tallow due to their increased risk of cardiovascular issues.
The guidance is not just for the everyday consumer looking for advice. These recommendations are also implemented by schools, as well as agencies such as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Local health departments also look at these guidelines when forming policies.
What is Different About the 2025 - 2030 Guidelines
The 2025-30 dietary guidelines feature a greater emphasis on protein than in the past. The new advice is based on body weight, recommending the equivalent of 81.6 to 109 grams of protein per day for the average 150-pound person.
The latest advice also recommends three servings of full-fat dairy with no added sugars per day for an individual taking in approximately 2,000 calories daily. The updated guidelines prioritize eating whole grains that are rich in fiber, recommending two to four servings per day.
Americans should continue focusing on vegetables and fruits as the cornerstones of their diets. While whole foods are ideal, the advice also gives leeway with frozen, dried, or canned produce as viable options.
The new guidelines single out the consumption of ultraprocessed foods, such as chips, candy, and cookies containing added sugars and salt. Added sugars are to be avoided through age 10. The government is now officially advising that infants be given breast milk for at least the first six months of their lives. If this is not an option, an iron-fortified formula is recommended under the new guidelines.
While the new recommendations echo the sentiment that alcohol is not part of a healthy diet, the latest update got rid of the past guidelines that men limit alcohol intake to two drinks or less per day, while women drink just one drink or less daily.
How the Guidelines Are Set
The HHS and the USDA work together every five years to establish the federal dietary guidelines. The advice changes based on the latest scientific research. These guidelines are not intended to last forever, shifting to varying degrees with each new release.
Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins are using the updated guidelines to urge states to remove foods deemed unhealthy from SNAP benefits. The new guidance will also be used by school districts in the coming years to shape their breakfast and lunch menus.
In the past, a scientific advisory committee was put in charge of reviewing the latest research to provide recommendations to the USDA and HHS. These third-party recommendations are then used to help the secretaries of the two agencies develop the government's formal dietary guidelines. Moving forward, Kennedy has signaled that he wants to shorten both the development process as well as the list of recommendations.
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