Trump dietary guidelines prioritize protein over processed foods

The Trump administration released new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 on Jan. 7, 2026. HHS Secretary Brooke Rollins and USDA Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled the guidelines at a joint press conference. Kennedy said "American households must prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods—protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains—and dramatically reduce highly processed foods." Rollins said the guidelines would "reset federal nutrition policy, putting our families and children first." The guidelines govern federal nutrition programs affecting millions of Americans, including school lunches, WIC, and SNAP.

The guidelines nearly double the protein recommendation to 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, up from the previous standard of 0.8 g/kg. For a 150-pound person (68 kg), this translates to 82-109 grams of protein daily, compared to 54 grams under the old guidelines. The guidelines prioritize "high-quality, nutrient-dense protein foods in every meal," including animal sources (eggs, poultry, seafood, red meat) and plant sources (beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, soy). The shift reflects Trump administration emphasis on protein over carbohydrates. Critics note the science behind doubling protein recommendations isn't clear. Most Americans already consume enough protein.

For the first time, the Dietary Guidelines explicitly call out "certain highly processed foods" as harmful. The guidelines instruct Americans to "avoid highly processed packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat, or other foods that are salty or sweet" and to "avoid sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda, fruit drinks, and energy drinks." This marks a departure from previous guidelines, which focused on nutrients (sodium, sugar) rather than food processing. The change reflects growing scientific consensus on health risks of ultraprocessed foods, which make up 60% of the average American's diet. Studies link them to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

The guidelines skip recommendations from a 20-member Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee that met for nearly two years to review scientific evidence. Previous guidelines (2020, 2015, 2010) relied heavily on advisory committee reports. The Trump administration's decision to bypass the committee sparked controversy. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and nutrition researcher, told STAT News that "ignoring the advisory committee undermines the scientific integrity of the process." The administration didn't explain why it disregarded the committee's work. Trump appointees wrote the final guidelines based on their own review of evidence.

The guidelines encourage full-fat dairy and don't limit saturated fat consumption, a break from previous editions. The 2020 guidelines recommended limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of daily calories and favored low-fat or fat-free dairy. The 2025 guidelines say full-fat dairy provides "essential nutrients" and don't specify upper limits on saturated fat. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health expressed concern, noting that red meat and full-fat dairy are high in saturated fat, which is linked to cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association criticized the lack of saturated fat limits.

The guidelines drew mixed reactions. Nutrition advocates praised explicit warnings against ultraprocessed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) called the ultraprocessed food language "a long-overdue step." However, critics including the American Heart Association and Harvard nutrition experts criticized skipping the advisory committee, promoting red meat without saturated fat limits, and lacking specific guidance on whole grains versus refined grains. The American Academy of Pediatrics said the guidelines need clearer advice for children and adolescents, especially regarding protein needs.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans govern federal nutrition programs including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). These programs serve over 40 million Americans. The guidelines also influence food labeling, nutrition education, and medical advice. USDA and HHS will now update program standards to align with the 2025 guidelines. School menus, WIC-eligible foods, and SNAP nutrition incentives will reflect the new emphasis on protein and avoidance of ultraprocessed foods. Changes will roll out over the next 12-18 months.