The US publishes new dietary guidelines for 2025-2030

According to the administration’s announcement, the purpose of the guidelines is to return scientific logic and public judgment to the dietary recommendations, after years in which, according to him, the consumption of processed food with low nutritional value was encouraged alongside medicinal solutions, instead of nutrition-based prevention.

The new guidelines establish a clear order of priorities, whole foods, nutrient-dense and economically accessible, and moving away from high-sugar products, refined carbohydrates and industrial additives.

The nutrition guidelines are the basis for dozens of federal nutrition programs, including meals in schools, the military, the veterans system, and welfare settings for children and adults.

The government emphasizes that this is the first step on the way to a practical change in the menus served in public settings, with the aim of promoting healthy, whole food that is more available to large populations.

The document presents an approach of personal adjustment, while recognizing the differences between families, preferences, needs and financial capabilities. The recommendations include a wide variety of food options, animal and vegetable proteins, dairy products in different price ranges including milk and high-fat dairy products, fresh, frozen, dried or canned vegetables and fruits, and whole grains. All of these should replace a diet based on prepared food, high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fat.

One of the most notable changes is a preference for protein. The new guidelines state that quality protein must be included in every meal, relying on what the administration defines as current science.

The recommendations include eggs, chicken, fish, red meat, and plant sources such as legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds and soy. This is in contrast to previous guidelines, which according to the administration tended to downplay the importance of protein and favor carbohydrates.

For the first time, the guidelines specifically refer to the dangers of highly processed foods. The document calls for avoiding packaged, ready-to-eat or especially sweet and salty foods, as well as sugary drinks such as soft drinks, fruit drinks and energy drinks.

In the area of ​​sugar, the guidelines take a particularly sharp line, stating that there is no recommended amount of added sugar or non-nutritional sweeteners as part of a healthy diet. Parents are advised to completely avoid giving added sugar to children up to the age of four.

Another change concerns fats. The guidelines seek to end what the government calls the war on healthy fats, and recommend getting most of the fat from whole foods, meat, chicken, eggs, fish rich in omega 3, nuts, seeds, high-fat dairy products, olives and avocados. For cooking and adding fat, it is recommended to use natural oils rich in essential fatty acids, such as olive oil.

In the area of ​​carbohydrates, the guidelines emphasize a preference for whole grains rich in fiber, while calling for a significant reduction of refined carbohydrates such as white bread, ready-made breakfast products, white flour tortillas and crackers. Meanwhile, it is noted that there are populations with chronic diseases that may benefit from a low-carb diet, a recommendation that is defined as scientific and educational.

The administration links nutrition, chronic diseases and health care spending, and presents data that illustrates the extent of the problem. According to an analysis by Johns Hopkins University, about 48% of the federal tax budget is directed to health spending, and 90% of health spending in the United States concerns people with chronic diseases.

The document also indicates economic and security aspects. About 42 million Americans depend on the SNAP program for food assistance, but among the most purchased items are sugary drinks, candy and snacks.

Since 78% of SNAP recipients are also insured by Medicaid, the administration argues that encouraging unhealthy food consumption directly increases health care costs. Another figure indicates that 77% of the military age are ineligible for recruitment, mainly due to chronic diseases related to nutrition.