Last week, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr unveiled the federal government's updated dietary guidelines for the years 2025 to 2030. These influential recommendations, revised every five years, shape food policy and nutritional education across the United States.
Core Changes and Controversial Shifts
Promoted under the slogan "eat real food", the new advice includes several notable updates. It now recommends people "prioritise protein at every meal", consume full-fat dairy, eat plenty of whole grains, and limit ultra-processed foods. A redesigned, inverted food pyramid also accompanies the guidelines.
However, according to analysis by Professor Lauren Ball of The University of Queensland and Accredited Dietitian Emily Burch, the scientific grounding for some changes is narrow. The major increase in recommended daily protein intake, from 0.8 grams to 1.2–1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, was based on a rapid review focused largely on weight loss and exercise studies. The experts argue this evidence is too limited to support a population-wide recommendation.
Key Updates and Omissions
While the guidelines retain core advice on fruits, vegetables, and limiting sugars and salt, several new elements have sparked debate:
The promotion of full-fat dairy contradicts advice from heart health foundations in the US and Australia, which often recommend reduced-fat options for those at risk of heart disease.
Explicit advice to limit ultra-processed foods is a positive step, aligning with growing research linking them to chronic disease. This replaces previous vaguer calls to eat "nutrient-dense" foods.
The new inverted food pyramid visually emphasises meats, dairy, and oils at its widest part, which critics say could encourage overconsumption of saturated fats, conflicting with the written cap of less than 10% of total calories.
Perhaps most concerning is the removal of specific alcohol limits and cancer warnings, replaced only with a vague instruction to "limit alcoholic beverages". This contradicts strong scientific consensus on alcohol's links to multiple cancers.
Conflicts of Interest and Equity Concerns
The development process for the 2025-30 guidelines has raised eyebrows. The scientific report disclosed that several committee members had financial ties to food industry groups, including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and dairy organisations. While industry connections are not new, the review process under the Trump administration was faster and lacked standard systematic evidence protocols and public comment periods.
Perhaps the most significant criticism, according to the experts, is the guidelines' "lack of attention to socio-economic realities". The report deliberately shifts away from "health equity", ignoring how factors like income, race, and geography limit access to affordable, healthy food. This places the burden of healthy eating solely on individuals, overlooking systemic barriers within the food system.
In conclusion, while the guidelines offer sensible advice on whole foods and processing, they introduce potential contradictions and confusion. For personalised, evidence-based nutrition support, consulting a qualified dietitian remains the best course of action.
