(WDNews) — Americans are being urged to eat more whole foods and cut back on processed items and added sugar under new federal dietary guidelines released Wednesday by the Trump administration.
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were issued by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The guidelines help shape federal nutrition programs and influence food policies nationwide.
“Our message is clear: Eat real food,” Kennedy said during a White House briefing.
The updated guidance emphasizes fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy products and protein as the foundation of a healthy diet. Officials also unveiled a new visual model that flips the long-retired food pyramid, placing protein, dairy, healthy fats, and fruits and vegetables at the top, with whole grains positioned at the bottom.
For the first time, the guidelines take a stronger stance against highly processed foods. Americans are encouraged to avoid packaged and ready-to-eat foods high in salt or sugar, including chips, cookies and candy. These products, often referred to as ultraprocessed foods, make up more than half of the calories consumed in the U.S. and have been linked to conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
Kennedy has repeatedly called for changes to the nation’s food supply as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, arguing that diet-related illness is a growing public health concern.
The new dietary guidelines will guide school meal programs, food assistance initiatives and other federal nutrition policies over the next five years.
