New US Dietary Guidelines Promote Whole Foods and Plant-Forward Diets, Advocacy Groups React

New US Dietary Guidelines Promote Whole Foods and Plant-Forward Diets, Advocacy Groups React

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2025–2030), released this week, have sparked widespread debate across social media and health policy circles. While critics point to the document’s continued emphasis on animal protein, nutrition advocates say the updated guidelines also contain several notable shifts worth acknowledging.

Issued by the US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA), the guidelines serve as the foundation for federal nutrition programmes, school meals and public health advice for the next five years.

Focus returns to real, whole foods

One of the most prominent messages in the new guidelines is a renewed call to prioritise whole, minimally processed foods. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said families should move away from reliance on supplements and ultra-processed products, and instead choose nutrient-dense foods in their natural form.

The guidance encourages daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, emphasising whole produce rather than juices. It also highlights healthy fats from sources such as nuts and avocados, along with whole grains, while urging Americans to sharply reduce refined carbohydrates.

Under the recommendations, adults are advised to consume two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables each day. Whole grains like oats, quinoa and brown rice are promoted over refined grains, and water and unsweetened beverages are identified as the preferred drinks.

Strong warning against ultra-processed foods

Another key takeaway is the call to limit ultra-processed foods, added sugars and artificial additives. Health experts note that many popular packaged snacks contain hidden dairy ingredients and unhealthy fats, even when they are not immediately obvious on labels.

Nutrition researchers have long linked high consumption of ultra-processed foods to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. According to Harvard-based studies, diet-related chronic illnesses contribute to hundreds of thousands of deaths in the US each year.

Public health advocates say reducing reliance on processed snacks can significantly improve diet quality while lowering intake of saturated fat and additives.

Policy shifts on milk and dairy alternatives

The release of the guidelines comes alongside recent legislative and regulatory changes affecting federal nutrition programmes.

Institute of Food Technologists Responds to the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans

In December 2025, Congress passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which requires schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer plant-based milk options for the first time, ending the exclusive mandate for cow’s milk.

Changes have also been introduced to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The updated rules allow plant-based milk substitutes, reduce cow’s milk quantities by around 25 percent, and remove cheese as a standalone food category. Officials say the revisions aim to lower saturated fat intake while expanding access to nutrient-rich alternatives.

Cautious optimism from nutrition advocates

While the 2025–2030 guidelines continue to promote animal protein and full-fat dairy, health advocates see signs of gradual progress. The emphasis on whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, coupled with warnings about ultra-processed foods, aligns with growing evidence supporting plant-forward diets.

Advocacy groups, including Switch4Good, say years of sustained efforts helped push federal agencies to expand plant-based options in nutrition programmes and formally recognise soy milk as a nutrient source.

As the guidelines begin shaping public policy and household choices nationwide, experts say their real impact will depend on how effectively Americans embrace their core message: eat more whole foods and fewer processed ones.