Feds' New Food Pyramid Shows Adjusted Dietary Guidelines For GA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans are urged to "eat real food," prioritizing protein and vegetables, in new dietary guidelines recently released by federal health officials.

The country's new inverted food pyramid was released on Jan. 7 by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The guidelines are recommended through 2030.

“These guidelines return us to the basics,” Kennedy said in a news 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.”

The Trump administration seeks to re-establish "scientific integrity, accountability and common sense" to federal health advice, officials said.

They added there is currently a national health emergency nationwide and that 90 percent of health care spending is used for treating chronic disease linked to diet and lifestyle.

At least 70 percent of adults are considered "overweight or obese," while almost 1 in 3 youths are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, officials said.

"Diet-driven chronic disease now disqualifies many young Americans from military service, threatening national readiness and limiting opportunity," federal officials said in the release.

The solution: eat real food, according to officials. They say this means people should only eat foods that are whole or are minimally processed and have no added sugars, industrial oils, preservatives or artificial flavors.

At the top of the USDA's new food pyramid are protein, dairy, healthy fats, vegetables and fruits.

The USDA said people should eat 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, while three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit are recommended. Whole grains of two to four servings daily should also be a priority, the USDA said.

These suggestions are based on a 2,000-calorie diet and include three servings of dairy daily.

Protein options include eggs, poultry, seafood, red meat, beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy.

Rather than deep-frying, the USDA advised people use the following cooking methods: baked, broiled, roasted, stir-fried and grilled.

Officials also recommended people be mindful of bacteria in their guts.

"Your gut contains trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms called the microbiome. A healthy diet supports a well-balanced microbiome and healthy digestion. Highly processed foods can disrupt this balance, while vegetables, fruits, fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, miso) and high-fiber foods support a diverse microbiome, which may be beneficial for health," officials said.

Furthermore, they said electrolytes and sodium are beneficial for hydration; but, processed foods high in sodium intakes should be avoided, they warned.

Sodium guidelines for children younger than age 14 are as follows, per the USDA:

• Ages 1–3: less than 1,200 mg per day
• Ages 4–8: less than 1,500 mg per day
• Ages 9–13: less than 1,800 mg per day

Here is further advice from the USDA in detail:

• Prioritize protein at every meal.
• Consume full-fat dairy with no added sugars.
• Eat vegetables and fruits throughout the day, focusing on whole forms.
• Incorporate healthy fats from whole foods such as meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, olives and avocados.
• Focus on whole grains, while sharply reducing refined carbohydrates.
• Limit highly processed foods, added sugars and artificial additives.
• Eat the right amount for you, based on age, sex, size and activity level.
• Choose water and unsweetened beverages to support hydration.
• Limit alcohol consumption for better overall health.
• For about the first 6 months of life, feed your baby only breast milk. When breast milk is not available, feed your baby iron-fortified infant formula. Continue breastfeeding as long as mutually desired by mother and child for 2 years or beyond. If feeding or supplementing your baby with infant formula, stop feeding your baby infant formula at 12 months of age and give them whole milk.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages in children ranging in age from 5-10.
• Adolescents should eat nutrient-dense foods such as dairy, leafy greens and iron-rich animal foods, while significantly limiting sugary drinks and energy drinks and avoiding highly processed foods.
• Pregnant women should consume diverse nutrient-dense foods, including iron-rich meats, folate-rich greens and legumes, choline-rich eggs, calcium-rich dairy and low-mercury omega-3–rich seafood (example, salmon, sardines and trout).

>> Here is the full list of the USDA's dietary guidelines.