New dietary guidelines mark major shift in nutrition advice

Kitchen Table Nutrition

A registered dietitian says the 2025-30 Dietary Guidelines for Americans signal a move away from processed foods and toward whole, nutrient-dense eating for better long-term health.

For over 50 years, I have been sharing nutrition and healthy living information to help others deal with health issues. Over time much has changed in medical science. If I revert to the information I learned half a century ago, I could be accused of malpractice.

The field of nutrition and dietetics is an ongoing flood of facts and research that are outdated almost as quickly as yesterday’s weather forecast. Yesterday’s nutrition hearsay is passed along at bingo halls, internet conversations and family gatherings.

People rely on the same dietary instructions and habits of those who have little knowledge of nutrition discoveries. Much of this knowledge is not specific and often outdated.

Research studies reveal adequate nutrition can not only extend life, but also improve the quality of life. Currently, people in the USA are not as healthy as they could be.

For decades the U.S. government has recommended and incentivized low-quality, highly processed foods and drug interventions instead of prevention. Recently, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-30, was introduced. They are the most significant reset of a federal nutrition policy in decades.

The new dietary guidelines call for prioritizing high-quality protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and avoiding highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates. In other words eat food that is closer to the way the food left the farm.

For example, in proteins, options such as chicken, pork, beans, eggs, red meats, beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy. Choose a larger variety of dairy products including whole milk and full-fat. Consume fresh, frozen, dried or canned fruits and vegetables. Whole-grain products with natural fiber are recommended. Reducing highly processed foods including those high in refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats and chemical additives can help change the health trajectory of America.

The war on healthy fats is over. Receive the bulk of daily dietary fat from whole food sources such as meats, poultry, eggs, omega-3-rich seafood, nuts, seeds, full-fat dairy, olives and avocados. When cooking with or adding fats to meals, the guidelines call for using the most nutrient-dense natural options with essential fatty acids such as olive oil.

Avoiding added sugars paves the way to a healthier meal plan. Limiting sweetened soda, cutting back on added high-calorie sweeteners, and controlling the intake of candy, cakes and cookies can make a healthy difference.

More people need nutrition counseling than before. Many have a flawed knowledge of nutrition and have chronic needs for improving their diets.

Each person’s body is different, some by a little and some by a lot. Those who seek out new information and apply the guidelines concerning their health receive greater benefit from their medical care.

Take one day this week and consume adequate protein sources, skip added sugar, limit extra fat, reduce salt and cut out processed foods. Get moving for at least an additional 30 minutes throughout the day. This experiment can add minutes to your life, even hours, perhaps days, weeks or months. In some cases a healthy lifestyle could add years.

Bobbie Randall is a registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.