In a major overhaul of federal nutrition advice, the White House released new dietary guidelines Jan. 7 calling Americans to return to “real food,” more protein and healthy fats, and far fewer processed foods with high carbohydrate contents.

The updated guidance, announced during a press briefing by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, also restores the food pyramid as a key educational tool after years of alternative plate-based models. 

Titled Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, the new program is meant to address what officials describe as a national health emergency driven by diet-related chronic diseases. The administration detailed the guidelines on a new website, realfood.gov.

“My message is clear: Eat real food,” Kennedy said during the briefing. “Nothing matters more for healthcare outcomes, economic productivity, military readiness, and fiscal stability.” 

According to an HHS fact sheet, nearly 90% of U.S. healthcare spending goes toward treating chronic conditions. More than 70% of adults are overweight or obese, and nearly one in three adolescents shows signs of prediabetes.

“These Guidelines return us to the basics,” Kennedy said in a press release. “American households must prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods — protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains — and dramatically reduce highly processed foods. This is how we Make America Healthy Again.”

What’s changed in the new food pyramid? 

Unlike the 1992 food pyramid, which placed grains as the foundation of the American diet (6-11 servings daily), the revised version reduces the role of carbohydrates and elevates the importance of proteins, healthy fats, full-fat dairy, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Whole grains remain included in moderation, but refined carbohydrates and highly processed foods are excluded entirely.

“For decades we’ve been misled by guidance that prioritized highly-processed food, and are now facing rates of unprecedented chronic disease,” the website states. “We can solve this crisis. For the first time, we’re calling out the dangers of highly-processed foods and rebuilding a broken system from the ground up with gold-standard science and common sense.” 

Under the new model, adults are advised to consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. Vegetables should make up about three daily servings, fruits two servings, and whole grains two to four servings. The guidelines draw a clear distinction between whole grains and refined carbohydrates, which they say “displace real nourishment” and are not encouraged.

Key guideline recommendations include: 

• Prioritizing protein at every meal

• Avoid added sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages

• Limiting refined carbohydrates such as white bread and crackers 

• Considering lower-carbohydrate diets for chronic disease management

• Cooking with nutrient-dense fats such as olive oil or animal-based fats like beef tallow and butter 

Ultraprocessed foods are explicitly discouraged, with Americans urged to avoid “highly processed packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat, or other foods that are salty or sweet, such as chips, cookies, and candy." 

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said during the briefing that 60% to 70% of calories consumed by American children now come from ultraprocessed foods.

Cost and access questions 

Reporters pressed administration officials on whether healthier eating is affordable for American families during the conference.

Rollins said that, based on multiple simulations, eating healthy is “actually less expensive” in many cases but acknowledged that access remains a major challenge in some communities. She said expanding grocery store access nationwide is a long-term priority, while short-term plans include requiring retailers to increase the availability of healthier options.

She later posted charts on X, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data that she said shows food prices are down and more affordable during President Donald Trump’s administration.

“Affordable food is within reach of every American family,” Kennedy added, noting that the administration is developing an education and information program on the agency’s website to help families identify the healthiest foods at the lowest cost.

Kennedy also argued that the long-term costs of chronic disease far outweigh the price of nutrient-dense food, saying dietary changes can reduce reliance on costly medical interventions.

“The idea that a cheap meal made of processed food is cheap is an illusion,” he said. “You’re paying for it on the back end. You’re paying for it with diabetes, with obesity, with illness. If you internalize that cost of the meal, it would be a tiny fraction of the long-term cost of eating bad food.” 

In a post on X, the White House cited one study showing that a 15% weight loss among Medicare beneficiaries was associated with nearly $1,000 per year in reduced Medicare costs.

Policy implications

The updated guidelines are expected to shape federal nutrition programs, including school meals, military rations, and food assistance initiatives. Administration officials said the revisions prioritize health outcomes and scientific integrity over industry influence as the government seeks to curb diet-related disease nationwide.