‘Eat real food’ — What physicians need to know about the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines, 2025-2030

New dietary guidelines offer a new recipe for healthy eating in the United States, the nation’s health and agriculture chiefs said.

On Jan. 7, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Agriculture (USDA), announced the new “Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030.” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called it a “historic reset of U.S. nutrition policy,” that delivers “a clear, common-sense message to the American people: eat real food.”

“These Guidelines return us to the basics,” Kennedy said in HHS and Agriculture’s joint announcement. “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.”

Rollins credited the leadership of President Donald J. Trump for food policy that puts families and children first.

“At long last, we are realigning our food system to support American farmers, ranchers, and companies that grow and produce real food,” Rollins said in the statement. “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.”

Ultraprocessed foods, now a key target of Kennedy, also are mentioned.

Here’s a rundown on the basics of what physicians need to know about the new guidelines, compiled from online sources of HHS and the new realfood.gov website, including the dietary guidelines, daily servings by calorie level, scientific foundation, and scientific appendices.

What are the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are the nation’s primary federal nutrition recommendations, jointly issued by HHS and the USDA every five years. These guidelines provide science-based advice on what constitutes a healthy diet and inform federal nutrition policy, public health messaging, and many nutrition programs.

Why were the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines described as a “reset” of U.S. nutrition policy?

HHS and USDA leadership described the 2025–2030 Guidelines as the most significant reset in decades, aiming to put real, whole foods back at the center of health rather than promoting highly processed products. The emphasis is on returning to basic nutrition principles rooted in nutrient-dense foods.

What is the core philosophy behind the new guidelines?

The new guidelines promote the concept of “real food,” defined as whole, nutrient-dense, naturally occurring foods that are minimally processed and rich in essential nutrients. HHS officials assert that this approach is critical to reducing chronic diseases linked to poor diet and lifestyle.

What does the “New Pyramid” emphasize in everyday eating?

The updated food framework, referred to as the New Pyramid, prioritizes nutrient-dense foods such as:

• Protein, dairy, and healthy fats from whole sources (e.g., eggs, seafood, meats, full-fat dairy, nuts, seeds, olives, avocados.)
• Vegetables and fruits
• Whole grains and foods high in fiber

It also significantly reduces the emphasis on highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.

How do the guidelines recommend we prioritize protein?

The guidelines call for high-quality, nutrient-dense protein at every meal, including both animal and plant sources. This is a departure from previous guidance that had often downplayed certain protein types; instead, the 2025-2030 guidance encourages a balanced variety of proteins to support overall nutrition.

What does the guidance say about fruits and vegetables?

Vegetables and fruits are essential components of the guidelines. The recommendations emphasize eating a wide variety of fresh, colorful nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits in their whole forms as part of everyday eating patterns, helping to provide fiber, micronutrients, and phytochemicals important for health.

What is the stance on whole grains and refined carbohydrates?

The guidelines encourage whole grains — such as oats, brown rice, and whole-grain breads — while recommending a significant reduction in the consumption of refined carbohydrates and highly processed grain products that displace more nutrient-dense foods in the diet.

How are processed foods and added sugars addressed?

For the first time in the nation’s dietary guidance, the guidelines specifically call out the dangers of highly processed foods and urge consumers to avoid them. Processed packaged, prepared, or ready-to-eat foods that are high in salt, sugar, or artificial additives are discouraged. Added sugars — including sugar-sweetened beverages — are not recommended as part of a healthy diet, especially for young children.

What do the guidelines say about fats and dairy?

The guidelines break from some past advice by supporting healthy fats as part of real foods — including fats from meat, seafood, dairy, nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados — rather than isolating them as macronutrients to restrict. Full-fat dairy products without added sugars are included among nutrient-dense foods.

Do the new guidelines provide specific advice for different life stages?

Yes. The 2025–2030 guidelines include tailored recommendations for different groups, including infants and children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, older adults, individuals with chronic diseases, and those following vegetarian or vegan eating patterns. This broad scope aims to ensure nutritional adequacy across the lifespan.

How do the new guidelines differ from past versions regarding beverages?

The guidelines advise people to choose water and unsweetened beverages to support hydration and overall health. They also recommend limiting alcohol consumption as part of overall healthy eating patterns.

Why do these changes matter to primary care physicians?

Diet-related chronic conditions — including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease — account for a substantial portion of U.S. health care spending. With diet now framed as a foundational determinant of health, physicians can use the guidelines as a clinical tool to support preventive care counseling, connect nutrition guidance to chronic disease management, and align practice recommendations with federal policy.

How will the dietary guidelines be used across federal health and nutrition programs?

HHS has emphasized that the dietary guidelines serve as the foundation for federal nutrition programs and policies, including nutrition education and food standards in federally supported settings. The updated focus on real food is intended to bring greater consistency across government programs and public health messaging. For physicians, this alignment means patients may increasingly hear similar nutrition guidance in schools, workplaces, and community programs, reinforcing clinical counseling.