New 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines Urge Americans to “Eat Real Food”
The Trump administration has officially released the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans for 2025 through 2030, marking a notable shift in federal nutrition policy. Rather than focusing heavily on individual nutrients or restrictions, the updated guidelines emphasize food quality and simplicity, encouraging Americans to make healthier choices by focusing on real, whole foods.
According to the guidelines, “the message is simple, eat real food.” The recommendations move away from highly processed options and instead promote diets centered on whole, nutrient-dense foods, including protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. The approach is intended to be practical, flexible, and accessible for households, schools, and federal nutrition programs.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins highlighted the importance of this shift and its connection to American agriculture. She said, “These new dietary guidelines encourage households and schools to prioritize whole nutrient-dense foods, more protein, more dairy, more healthy fats, more whole grains, more fruits and vegetables, whether they are fresh, frozen, canned, or dried.” Rollins emphasized that the updated guidance aligns with the food supply already produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers.
She added, “This pivot also leans into the abundant, affordable, and healthy food supply already available from America’s incredible farmers and ranchers. Making milk, raising cattle, and growing wholesome fruits, vegetables, and grains, they hold the key to solving our national health crisis.” The guidelines aim to support both public health outcomes and domestic agricultural producers.
Health policy leaders also underscored the broader impact of the dietary guidelines. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. noted the extensive reach of these standards across federal programs. He said, “Dietary guidelines shape dozens of federal feeding programs. These standards affect 45 million school lunches every day, meals for 1.3 million active duty service members, and food served to 9 million veterans in VA hospitals.”
Kennedy also connected nutrition to rising health care costs, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The CDC reports that 90 percent of health care spending treats chronic disease. That means that 40 cents of every dollar that taxpayers pay in this country is going to treat diseases that could be averted through good food.”
By emphasizing real, nutrient-dense foods and practical dietary choices, the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines aim to improve long-term health outcomes while supporting American farmers, ranchers, and the nation’s food system.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.