New U.S. Dietary Guidelines: Focus on Whole Foods and Protein

Thu Jan 08 2026 22:02:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Trump administration has released updated dietary guidelines emphasizing whole foods and increased protein consumption, while discouraging highly processed foods and added sugars.

The Trump administration's 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that Americans consume more whole foods, such as fresh vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products, while avoiding highly processed foods and limiting added sugars. As part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have issued these guidelines, which aim to revitalize American dietary habits and improve public health. The guidelines suggest a shift towards higher protein intake and a new approach to saturated fats, while remaining cautious about the consumption of ultraprocessed foods.

The Trump administration has released its latest dietary guidelines, urging Americans to shift towards a diet rich in whole foods and proteins, while steering clear of highly processed foods laden with sugars. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins unveiled the 2025-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans which form a foundational basis for federal nutrition programs and policies.

Our message is clear: Eat real food, Kennedy stated during a White House briefing, underscoring the administration's commitment to health reform under its Make America Healthy Again initiative. The guidelines place emphasis on fresh vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products as staple components of a healthy diet.

A notable change is the acknowledgment of highly processed foods. The guidelines refer to them as foods that are “packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat” products, effectively discouraging consumption of snacks like chips, cookies, and candies. These ultraprocessed food items make up over half of the average American's caloric intake, contributing to chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

In addition, the new framework suggests a moderate increase in protein consumption, recommending 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. This contrasts the previous recommendation of 0.8 grams, suggesting that a higher intake could displace processed carbohydrates and promote better health.

While there are calls for increased protein, the new guidelines retained a limit on saturated fats, advising that they should not exceed 10% of daily caloric intake. Officials encourage Americans to focus on wholesome sources for fats, such as avocados and lean meats.

The guidelines also point towards a stricter stance on added sugars, recommending that no meal contain more than 10 grams of added sugars—roughly two teaspoons. This comes as many Americans currently consume about 17 teaspoons daily.

These dietary guidelines aim to serve not just as a nutritional primer but to pave the way for improvements in public health amidst rising rates of diet-related chronic diseases. Notably, they will also impact the National School Lunch Program, guiding the nutrition provided to around 30 million children daily.

While some health leaders have praised the changes, concerns over ultraprocessed foods persist, with experts emphasizing that not all processed options are unhealthy, focusing instead on the type of carbohydrates consumed. The new guidelines set forth a pathway intended to elevate the quality of American diets and foster healthier lifestyles.