HHS releases new U.S. dietary guidelines
The policy emphasizes healthy fats and proteins, and discourages added sugar.
In a press conference on Wednesday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins unveiled updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030. The new guidelines recommend a diet that prioritizes healthy fats, protein, and fruits and vegetables; it also recommends avoidance or reduction of added sugars in foods and beverages, as well as a turn away from ultraprocessed foods.
“These Guidelines return us to the basics,” states Kennedy. "American households must prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods—protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains—and dramatically reduce highly processed foods. This is how we Make America Healthy Again.”
Kennedy also criticized former President Joe Biden and other previous administrations for relying on "corporate-driven assumptions" when setting dietary guidelines in the past.
“This edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans will reset federal nutrition policy, putting our families and children first as we move towards a healthier nation,” notes Rollins. “We are realigning our food system to support American farmers, ranchers, and companies that grow and produce real food. Farmers and ranchers are at the forefront of the solution, and that means more protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains on American dinner tables.”
Recommendations put forth in Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 include:
- Placing a priority on protein: the HHS statement recommends high-quality proteins, including meat, eggs, poultry, and plant-based sources, remarking that past Dietary Guidelines "demonized protein in favor of carbohydrates"
- Avoiding highly processed foods: the document recommends that consumers avoid "highly processed packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat, or other foods that are salty or sweet”
- Steer clear of added sugars: the new guidance states “no amount of added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners is recommended or considered part of a healthy or nutritious diet”
- "Ending the War on Healthy Fats": the new guidance recommends consumers increase intake of fats from whole foods, relying on a mix of plant-based and animal-derived sources.
- Increasing whole grains and avoiding refined carbohydrates: The guidance recommends prioritization of fiber-rich whole grains and avoidance of refined carbs, mentioning white bread, flour tortillas, and crackers as items to be avoided
- Lowering carbohydrates: the statement suggests that reducing carbohydrate intake, especially those consumers dealing with "certain chronic diseases," could improve health outcomes
View more information on the updated dietary guidelines.
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