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.
The food pyramid will be retired in favor of the new and improved food "web." Feel free to eat as much as you want of anything that gets caught in a spider web.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
First, remove the retinol (vitamin a) supplements from skim milk. Foods have enough vitamin a.
Can they crossbreed a cow and a carrot?
Pseudoscience. A vegetarian diet is a slave diet.
Tiny treat? It’s like you have a choice - the block or your arm. Your play.
FTA: Late last year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC).
^^^^^^
Let’s see, Trump’s inauguration was in January of this year, so this “report” preceded any MAHA influence in the government. So we will see how this shakes out.....
Then why wouldn’t they cancel this release? They really should if it’s not what they currently believe. It creates too much confusion.
... it could only be worse in Milwaukee.
True True ... LOL
Wish I still had that album.
Why doesn’t RFKjr stop this release since it seems these new guidelines were created last year? Unless he approves of all it says, which is highly unhealthful.
It is not just salt in the soup, it is the amount of ‘salt’ in every plant based substitute!! This is what peeves me off when my nutritionist suggests more plant based proteins. I whip out my handy phone and show the numbskull what she’s suggesting is high sodium content foods to a HBP person. Told her the last time...make a choice because I won’t be back to your office. It is obvious I am watching what I put in my body, you yourself don’t know what the nutrition labels say.
sorry to hear of what you are going through and I am not a doctor so I don’t know from that view.
Just from my life and all who have been in it at times, I have come to find, even in healthy people, they focus on ‘weight’ when really people should focus on nutrients. How many millions of people over thousands of years went through their entire life relatively healthy and never once stepped on a scale? our society says focus on weight number.
Yes, you don’t want bone and muscle loss, which can lead to ‘weight’ loss, but if you focus food to get the important nutrients in, rather than some people who just eat high calorie non nutritious things to try to keep weight up. With eating the more nutrient dense foods, the body can have the nutrients it needs to better repair and balance systems/functions to help maintain “weight” number and regain healthful bone and muscle etc. Maybe even regenerate things and surprise doctors even.
Someone posted in another thread about an inexpensive store brand version of beano product at walmart that helps break down carb molecules for people who’s body is having trouble with that. Alpha-galactosidase is the ingredient.
but of course listen to your doctor and professionals ideas too. I just find they are some times to programed in what they learned and don’t think of the simple or more patient friendly ways to get good whole body results or solve things.
I do find much help from other FR experiences, and online alternative doctors who give evidence to back their ideas to help people with things, so searching food or alternative things to help your situation may be worth it.
We all get health challenges of body, mind or spirit, and God can help us journey through. prayers for your continued recovery and best health
salt is likely what helps prolong the shelf life, like in frozen dinners too. preserved things need salt or sugar or vinegar or lard/fat.
our/society wanting convenience of not having to prepare our own food is the problem.
Is there enough pizza for everybody?
A difficult part of a post Whipple state is triggering "dumping". Last Saturday I was 150.7. This morning, 146.7. A 4 lb loss for the week. FitBit shows I was averaging just over 1,000 calories input daily while burning 1700. I'm 5 ft 11 in tall, so 146.7 is trending light. My interaction with grok indicates I really need to achieve 160 to improve my survival i.e. provide resources for my immune system to fight off any cancer that may still be around.
I open the refrigerator and pull out the cheese box and suddenly I am the focus of two pairs of puppy eyes and only one pair belongs to an actual puppy. The other one is old enough to know better.
Turns out my dogs are completely lactose tolerant.
My dog loves Jarlsberg and Gjetost.
She only gets but small quantities.
She also gets shredded cheddar as “sprinkles” on her kibble.
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