Posted on 03/28/2025 12:53:47 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The latest dietary report calls for more plant-based foods, a new protein ranking, and flexible eating habits.
Key Points
-The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report emphasizes increasing plant-based protein intake and reducing red and processed meat consumption to improve health and address fiber deficiencies.
-The committee recommends reorganizing the protein food group to prioritize plant-based proteins like beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and seeds.
-A new “Eat Healthy Your Way” approach promotes flexible, inclusive dietary patterns while the report avoids firm recommendations on ultra-processed foods due to inconsistent definitions and evidence.
Late last year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). This report is a vital component in the process the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and HHS will follow to develop the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), which serve as the foundation for nutrition programs and policies.
The DGAC report is informed by nearly two years of research, analysis, and expert contributions, making it highly influential in shaping national nutrition recommendations. Given its importance, we consulted several experts to gather their insights on the key findings and their implications for future dietary guidelines.
One of the central findings of the DGAC report emphasizes the importance of increasing plant-based protein consumption, such as beans, lentils, peas, seeds, and nuts. These nutrient-dense foods are rich in essential macronutrients and micronutrients and are associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases.
“The report recommends reducing red and processed meat intake while increasing consumption of beans, peas, lentils, and other plant-based protein sources due to their health benefits,” explains DGAC member Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, an associate professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital.
A Beef Industry Leader Called the USDA's 2025 Proposed Dietary Guidelines 'Elitist' — Here's Why Another reason for this shift is the role of plant-based proteins in increasing fiber intake. According to Kris Sollid, RD, senior director of research and consumer insights at the International Food Information Council, more beans, peas, and lentils are being emphasized because they “are protein sources that also provide dietary fiber, a nutrient that Americans do not consume enough of.”
Since 95% of American adults do not get enough fiber, incorporating more plant-based proteins may help close this dietary gap.
A reorganization of the protein food group Building on the emphasis on plant-based proteins, the DGAC also recommends restructuring the protein food group. Beans, peas, and lentils were previously classified as part of the vegetable group, but the committee now suggests moving them into the protein food group to better reflect their nutritional role.
“This new order prioritizes plant-based proteins, reflecting their health advantages and promoting more sustainable food choices,” says Dr. Cody Stanford. Additionally, DGAC member Heather A. Eicher-Miller, PhD, a professor in the Department of Nutrition Science at Purdue University, explains that the committee recommends “that the protein group be reorganized to first emphasize and include beans, peas, and lentils; then nuts, seeds, and soy products; then seafood; and then meat, poultry, and eggs.”
The reordering highlights that these plant-based protein foods should be a significant part of the protein food group. Dr. Eicher-Miller also states that these foods were put “first on the list to try to promote them as a primary part of the protein food group.”
A flexible approach: “Eat Healthy Your Way”
The DGAC report introduces a new food pattern called “Eat Healthy Your Way,” which offers a flexible and inclusive approach to healthy eating. This method builds on decades of scientific research while accommodating personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budget constraints.
Dr. Cody Stanford explains that the ‘Eat Healthy Your Way’ pattern “encourages greater intake of plant-based foods while still allowing for animal-based options.” It emphasizes nutrient-dense foods across all food groups while prioritizing inclusivity and health equity to support dietary adherence across diverse populations.
The recommendations within this pattern emphasize:
Fruits and vegetables as dietary staples
Whole grains over refined grains
Low-fat dairy or fortified soy alternatives
Vegetable oils in place of saturated fats
Plant-based proteins as the primary source of protein
Dr. Eicher-Miller further explains that this new approach replaces previous dietary patterns outlined in past guidelines, consolidating them into a single, adaptable framework for meeting protein recommendations.
Ultra-processed foods are still a gray area
One of the most discussed topics in nutrition today — ultra-processed foods — was also examined in the DGAC report. Ultra-processed foods are industrially formulated products that are not typically found in home kitchens, often containing ingredients such as artificial additives, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and preservatives. Examples of ultra-processed foods include:
Recent research connects the consumption of ultra-processed foods to higher risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer. However, the DGAC report did not provide specific recommendations on ultra-processed foods due to differences in definitions and insufficient evidence.
Dr. Cody Stanford adds, “The report did not include recommendations on ultra-processed foods due to insufficient evidence and inconsistencies in defining and classifying ultra-processed foods in scientific literature.”
What’s next for the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines?
The Scientific Report of the DGAC forms the basis for the upcoming DGA, 2025-2030. The USDA and HHS will use this report, along with public feedback and policy considerations, to inform the final recommendations.
“It is important to remember that while the DGAC Report is the foundation upon which the Dietary Guidelines are built, the DGAC Report is not the Dietary Guidelines,” Kris Sollid, RD, notes. “There is no crystal ball.”
With the final 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans set to be released in late 2025, we’ll have to wait and see how the report’s findings translate into official dietary recommendations for the nation.
>> Who was the president last year?
I seriously don’t know for sure! Probably Obama. 🤣
I'm with you.
Don't outlaw anything people want to eat. But adjustments are in order. The food pyramid is junk. I'm of the opinion we all should be eating more plant based - fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts, grains, etc.
Some meat is good but making your diet meat-centric is not a good idea.
Most everything they have told us about diet for several decades is a lie. I will not believe them now.
Agreed. And sorry for making it personal. I should not have done that.
A herd of DEI bureaucrats dictating what the peasants should eat. What could possibly go wrong?
The biggest benefit of the improved dietary guidelines are going to be in the areas of school, hospital, and nursing home menus. Actually any subsidized institutional food programs that are required to adhere to those guidelines.
This was published during the Biden admin:
“The Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (Scientific Report) has been submitted to the Secretaries of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is now available online. The public was invited to provide comments on the Scientific Report from December 11, 2024, to February 10, 2025.”
https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/2025-advisory-committee-report
I didn't see much to like in the article. It certainly is a poor match for a post Whipple procedure patient.
Only if fresh which means during harvest season, not year round.
While some argue grains and nuts can be stored, there is significant risk to growing bacteria and fungi along with them.
Storing seed grain is one thing. Keeping grain for later leads to witch behavior.
Some dried fruits buy you time but food wasn't meant to be loaded up with chemicals and packaged for years.
“Sorry, but what’s the new Food Pyramid look like?”
They found 8 enormous cylinders extending 2000’ below one of them.
I was put in a rehab facility after my Whipple surgery last year. The food was inedible. 20 days of crappy food before I was ejected when the insurance coverage limit was reached. My wife brought in protein shakes and Gatorade. I lived on that. My weight dropped from 161 pre-surgery to 136.4 by the date of "ejection".
I'm still struggling to maintain my weight. 149.7 this morning. My gut is less efficient now. Before surgery, I consumed 1250 calories on 5 days each week, 600 calories on the other two and held my weight just fine. It takes 2000 calories to hold my weight now.
Countdown until a Judge bans this action in 3...2...1...
But is my dog getting enough cheese?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My dog can turn cheese into farts..
In addition to other changes, mainly more fruit/veg and cutting out most “added sugar”, I’ve been having plant-based foods for lunch. It’s easy, tasty, and fun to try new things. After 4 months my weight was down 15 pounds and borderline cholesterol is now well in the normal category. I like Dr. Casey Means book but you don’t have to take it as far as she does to see results.
I didn’t notice.
It was an update that was scheduled to come out now. RFK, Jr. probably approved the release.
You need to give Kennedy a break. He just got there.
Get government out of that business.
I don’t think one diet is right for everyone. We all have different metabolisms, endocrine systems, etc.
My husband’s health and all his blood tests have vastly improved since he went mostly carnivore years ago.
Im 80. Eat meat most evenings. Heading to a chop house tonight for our anniversary. I do and have not taken drugs ever and drink a good amount of red wine too. Don’t plan to change my dietary habits.
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