Earlier this week, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) published the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines, with HHS as the primary author. Since 1980, when the first “official” iteration of the United States Dietary Guidelines was published, HHS and USDA have jointly issued this nutrition guidance for Americans every five years, though the agencies take turns holding the pen.
While the process for the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines started during the Biden administration, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s influence is evident in the final version, who has long been a vocal critic of “ultra-processed” foods and has vowed to overhaul the United States food supply system in his role as head of HHS.
The “New Pyramid” flips the old food pyramid on its head, prioritizing protein, dairy, and healthy fats, along with fruits and vegetables. Grains, which used to account for the base of the food pyramid, have now been de-emphasized. The overall theme for the guidelines is “Eat Real Food,” with emphasis placed on eating whole foods, while avoiding processed foods and added sugars. The guidance on alcoholic beverage intake was also changed; prior guidelines stipulated a “moderate consumption” guidance for men and women. The new guidance simply states that alcohol consumption should be limited and does not differentiate between men and women, consistent with the overall approach to these noticeably shorter and more public-facing guidelines.
The Dietary Guidelines are not mandatory for consumers or the food industry to follow, but several federal programs follow its standards, including the National School Lunch Program and the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC). Changes in the new Dietary Guidelines may impact these programs. Given the drastic changes, schools that choose to uphold the standards stipulated by these guidelines may now require additional funding to upgrade cooking technology and purchase likely more expensive whole foods rather than processed ones.
Changes implemented within federal programs will likely have a noticeable effect on these programs’ supply chains, as will any resulting changes in public opinion about nutrition. In addition to shaping federal nutrition policy, the Dietary Guidelines also inform health professionals that teach healthy eating to consumers. If consumers’ view of healthy eating changes as a result of these Dietary Guidelines, the food industry will likely need to shift their production goals to meet the new demand.
As with every iteration of the Dietary Guidelines, reviews on the New Pyramid are mixed. The American Heart Association has commended the Dietary Guidelines’ focus on whole foods and fruits and vegetables. However, they share the concerns of many nutrition experts about the emphasis on red meat and other animal-based proteins and full-fat dairy, as a diet rich in red meat and full-fat dairy could raise consumers’ intake of sodium and saturated fat, which are generally known to contribute to cardiovascular disease.
The current version of the Dietary Guidelines will remain in effect until 2030. Many in Washington are already thinking about the 2030 Guidelines. Some lawmakers, agency staff, and external organizations have argued that the guidelines should be abolished, while others have proposed lengthening the period between guidelines beyond five years. Regardless of any legislative proposals, a new Advisory Committee will be formed in the coming years, and the process will begin again, which gives stakeholders in the food and nutrition world another bite at the apple.
