New nutritional recommendations emphasize increased consumption of plant-based foods and a reduction in processed items and added sugars.

 

A dietary advisory board suggests that Americans increase their intake of legumes while cutting down on red and processed meats, alongside avoiding ultraprocessed foods and discussions about alcohol usage. Americans are encouraged to incorporate more beans, peas, and lentils into their diets while reducing their consumption of red, processed meats, and starchy vegetables, all while maintaining limits on added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats. This guidance was provided by a panel of nutrition professionals on Tuesday, tasked with advising the U.S. government regarding the 2025 dietary guidelines, which will serve as the foundation for federal food programs and policies.

However, the 20-member panel did not address the increasing prevalence of ultraprocessed foods associated with adverse health outcomes, stating that the evidence is not sufficient to recommend avoidance. Additionally, the committee chose not to update the contentious recommendations regarding alcohol consumption, deferring this analysis to two external reports anticipated to be published soon. Overall, the proposals for the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans appear to echo previous guidance, according to Marion Nestle, a food policy authority. “This resembles prior dietary recommendations since 1980: consume vegetables and reduce intake of foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat,” Nestle mentioned in an email. “This specific statement fails to address the issue of balancing calorie intake when overconsumption, particularly from ultraprocessed foods, poses a significant challenge to the health of Americans.” Insights from the panel on healthy dietary practices The nutrition panel concluded that a healthy eating pattern for individuals aged 2 years and older should consist of increased vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, and vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fats. Conversely, it should be lower in red and processed meats, sugar-laden foods and drinks, refined grains, and saturated fats. It may also comprise fat-free or low-fat dairy products and foods with reduced sodium, alongside plant-based options. The panel, which convened for nearly two years, was the first to examine dietary needs through what they termed a “health equity lens,” according to Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital involved in the group. This perspective encompassed considerations like household income,

race, ethnicity, and culture when making dietary recommendations, aiming to ensure that the guidance reflects the diversity of various population groups, she stated in an email. The panel did not reach conclusions regarding ultraprocessed foods or alcohol consumption. Ultraprocessed foods, which include snacks, sugary cereals, and frozen meals, constitute about 60% of the American diet. The panel evaluated over 40 studies, some indicating a correlation between ultraprocessed foods and weight gain or obesity. However, the panel expressed concerns about the research quality, leading them to determine that the evidence was too scant to formulate recommendations. This decision could conflict with the views of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the designated nominee for the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, who has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest among dietary guidelines panel members and pledged to address ultraprocessed foods contributing to chronic health issues. The panel also did not modify recommendations suggesting limited alcohol intake, capping it at two drinks per day for men and one for women. In 2020, when the guidance was last revised, the government disregarded the scientific advisors' counsel to advocate for reduced alcohol consumption. Two organizations—the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and a committee from the agency overseeing substance abuse—are preparing to publish reports shortly on the impact of moderate alcohol consumption to aid in refining the guidelines. Do Americans adhere to dietary recommendations? The advisory panel recognized that most Americans' diets fall short of current guidelines. Over half of U.S. adults suffer from one or more diet-related chronic health conditions, and around 18 million households in the U.S. face food insecurity, as stated in the report. “Chronic health issues related to nutrition and their precursors continue to jeopardize health throughout the lifespan,” the report concludes. “This does not bode well for the future health landscape in the United States.” What’s next? 

The scientific report will inform the dietary guidelines, which are updated every five years. The recommendations presented on Tuesday will now be forwarded to HHS and the Department of Agriculture, where officials will draft the final guidelines, scheduled for release next year. As of Wednesday, the public will have 60 days to provide feedback on the guidance, with HHS and USDA officials planning a public meeting on January 16 to discuss the recommendations.