The NEW Food Pyramid is Here – Eat Real Food is a Message Too Long in Coming

For decades we’ve been misled by guidance that prioritized highly processed food, and are now facing rates of unprecedented chronic disease. A new website has been released – EAT REAL FOOD  to show the new pyramid and the rationale behind the changes.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 

These Guidelines mark the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in our nation’s history.
The message is simple: eat real food.

To Make America Healthy Again, we must return to the basics. American households must prioritize diets built on whole,
nutrient-dense foods—protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains. Paired with a dramatic reduction in highly processed foods laden with refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives, this approach can change the health trajectory for so many Americans.

The United States is amid a health emergency. Nearly 90% of health care spending goes to treating people who have chronic diseases.1 Many of these illnesses are not genetic destiny; they are the predictable result of the Standard American Diet—a diet which, over time, has become reliant on highly processed foods and coupled with a sedentary lifestyle.

The consequences have been devastating. More than 70% of American adults are overweight or obese.2 Nearly one in three
American adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 has pre-diabetes.3 Diet-driven chronic disease now disqualifies large
numbers of young Americans from military service, undermining national readiness and cutting off a historic pathway to
opportunity and upward mobility.

For decades, federal incentives have promoted low-quality, highly processed foods and pharmaceutical intervention instead
of prevention. This crisis is the result of poor policy choices; inadequate nutrition research; and a lack of coordination across federal, state, local, and private partners.

This changes today.

We are realigning our food system to support American farmers, ranchers, and companies who grow and produce real food
and the Trump administration is working to ensure all families can afford it.

We are putting real food back at the center of the American diet. Real food that nourishes the body. Real food that restores
health. Real food that fuels energy and encourages movement and exercise. Real food that builds strength.

Under President Trump’s leadership, we are restoring common sense, scientific integrity, and accountability to federal food
and health policy—and we are reclaiming the food pyramid and returning it to its true purpose of educating and nourishing all Americans.

These Guidelines call on every American to eat more real food. They call on farmers, ranchers, health care professionals,
insurers, educators, community leaders, industry, and lawmakers across all levels of government to join in this critical effort.

Together, we can shift our food system away from chronic disease and toward nutrient density, nourishment, resilience,
and long-term health.

America’s future depends on what we grow, what we serve, and what we choose to eat.

This is the foundation that will Make America Healthy Again.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Brooke L. Rollins
Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture

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Detailed explanation of the new pyramid and emphasis on the food hierarchy is HERE.

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REACTIONS

Supportive Remarks

The American Academy of Pediatrics praised parts of the guidance—particularly stronger evidence-based recommendations on breastfeeding, solid food introduction, limits on added sugars and caffeine for children.

Nutrition experts also applauded the strong stance against ultra-processed foods and clearer guidance on whole foods as positive moves

Criticisms

Certain health professionals and public-health researchers are cautious or critical of some elements:

Concerns about emphasis on red meat and full-fat dairy — critics argue these may conflict with longstanding data linking high saturated fat to cardiovascular risk.

Experts noted mixed views on increasing protein recommendations without parallel lifestyle guidance (e.g., strength training to use protein effectively.

American Medical Association (AMA) – Praised key portions of the new guidelines, saying the guidelines affirm that “food is medicine.” Also noted the new guidelines provide clear direction patients and physicians can use to improve health. This is significant because the AMA is a major national medical organization with influence in clinical practice and health policy.

American Heart Association (AHA) – Commended the guidelines’ emphasis on increasing intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains – and limiting added sugars, refined grains, and ultra-processed foods. They did express concerns that the recommendations on salt and red meat might lead Americans to exceed limits linked to cardiovascular disease, and noted the preference for traditional AHA guidance emphasizing plant-based proteins, seafood, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. They encouraged more scientific research on protein recommendations and best protein sources for heart health.

American Diabetes Association (ADA) – Called the new pyramid an opportunity to advance diabetes‐related nutrition goals, saying it welcomes the emphasis on reducing processed foods and added sugars — elements that are linked to better blood glucose control and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

American Soybean Association welcomed recognition of plant-based proteins and healthy fats like soybean oil.

Dairy and meat industry leaders praised the inclusion of dairy products and meat as part of a healthy diet. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association welcomed the guidelines, highlighting that the revised advice specifically recognizes beef as a healthy source of protein and supports the value of nutrient-dense, whole food proteins — a shift they say helps American ranchers and families. The National Pork Producers Council also applauded the guidelines for putting pork “front and center” on the plate and reflecting producer concerns about previous dietary advice underemphasizing animal proteins. The National Chicken Council praised the new recommendations’ emphasis on high-quality, lean proteins like chicken, noting that the guidelines reject earlier recommendations favoring plant-based proteins over animal proteins. The National Milk Producers Federation and other dairy advocates expressed strong support for recognizing dairy’s role across diets — including full-fat dairy — and for reaffirming the traditional three-servings-a-day guidance while acknowledging dairy’s nutrient contributions.

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SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

The changes are expected to dramatically impact the country’s School Lunch Program. The School Nutrition Association (SNA). Under federal law, school meal standards must align with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which serve as the foundation for national school nutrition requirements. The new guidelines’ strong focus on reducing highly processed foods and added sugars and emphasizing nutrient-dense whole foods (proteins, vegetables, fruits) will influence future updates to those standards — which means schools will have to adjust menus over time to stay in compliance.

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Chef Walter Potenza will address the Food Pyramid and you can send him your questions for tomorrow:  Send questions to: news@rinewstoday.com