The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, outlining a shift in federal nutrition policy toward whole, minimally processed foods and age-specific dietary recommendations. The updated guidance, released by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, places renewed emphasis on food-based approaches to health and includes expanded recommendations for infants, children, adolescents, and other population groups.1 Pediatric organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), have publicly supported the focus on child nutrition included in the new guidelines.2Updated dietary guidelines address chronic disease burdenAccording to the agencies, the updated guidelines respond to ongoing public health challenges related to diet and chronic disease in the United States. Federal officials noted that nearly 90% of health care spending is directed toward treatment of chronic disease, much of which is associated with diet and lifestyle factors. National data cited in the release indicate that more than 70% of US adults are overweight or obese and that nearly one in three adolescents has prediabetes. Officials also linked diet-related chronic disease to broader societal impacts, including military readiness.“These Guidelines return us to the basics,” Secretary Kennedy said. “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.”Whole foods emphasized as foundation of nutrition policyThe 2025–2030 guidelines emphasize simple dietary patterns intended to be adaptable across populations. Core recommendations include prioritizing protein at every meal, consuming full-fat dairy products without added sugars, eating vegetables and fruits throughout the day in whole forms, incorporating healthy fats from whole-food sources such as meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados, and focusing on whole grains while reducing refined carbohydrates. Additional guidance advises limiting highly processed foods, added sugars, artificial additives, and alcohol consumption, while choosing water and unsweetened beverages to support hydration.Life-stage nutrition guidance expanded in 2025–2030 updateThe guidelines also reintroduce food-centered educational tools and emphasize tailoring intake based on age, sex, body size, and activity level. Population-specific recommendations address the nutritional needs of infants and children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating individuals, older adults, individuals with chronic disease, and people following vegetarian or vegan dietary patterns.AAP supports focus on pediatric nutrition guidanceThe AAP commended the inclusion of pediatric-focused guidance and the alignment with its existing eviden Read More