Federal Nutrition Guidelines Urge Whole Foods, Less Processed Sugar

The U.S. government released updated dietary guidance on Wednesday, recommending Americans eat more whole foods and protein while cutting back on highly processed foods and added sugars. The 2025-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, provide the foundation for federal nutrition programs and policies.

“Our message is clear: Eat real food,” Kennedy said at a White House briefing. The guidelines emphasize fresh vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein, and introduce an updated graphic showing these items at the top, with whole grains at the bottom. Officials also warn against “packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat” foods high in salt or sugar, citing links to chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

The new guidance maintains limits on saturated fat at 10% of daily calories but encourages whole-food sources, including meat, whole-fat dairy, and avocados, while allowing options like butter or beef tallow.

Other updates include recommendations to increase protein intake, from 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight to 1.2–1.6 grams, and stricter advice on added sugars, suggesting no more than 10 grams per meal. The guidelines remove specific alcohol limits, instead urging Americans to “consume less alcohol for better health.”

Nutrition experts praised the emphasis on whole foods. Dr. David Kessler, former FDA commissioner, called it a “major advance” in public health guidance. Dr. Marion Nestle, a nutrition policy expert, noted that aside from the focus on whole foods, the science behind the recommendations remains consistent with previous guidance.

The guidelines will affect programs like the National School Lunch Program, which serves nearly 30 million children daily. Implementing the new standards for school meals could take several years, officials said.

While a federal advisory panel of nutrition experts did not make recommendations on ultraprocessed foods, the administration highlighted their avoidance as part of a healthy diet.