USDA and HHS release new dietary guidelines

Key Takeaways

On January 7, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. unveiled the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030. This is the 10th edition of the guidelines, updated every five years, which serve as a foundation for federal nutrition policies and public health programs.

New Dietary Guidelines breakdown

The updated Dietary Guidelines address current public health concerns – citing rising healthcare costs, chronic disease and poor nutrition – and outlines a realignment to better support farmers, ranchers and food companies. The guidelines also advise for one’s daily caloric intake to be based on an individual’s age, sex, height, weight and physical activity.

Key Points from the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines

• Prioritize protein foods: Raises the daily protein target from 0.8 grams per kilogram of body mass to 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram, and puts more emphasis on animal-sourced protein alongside plant-based options
• Consume dairy: Keeps serving guidance similar to 2020 guidelines (about 3 servings per day for a 2,000-calorie diet), but elevates full-fat dairy as a primary recommendation
• Eat vegetables and fruits: Maintains daily produce targets (3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits daily), but pushes whole or minimally processed forms more strongly and further limits recommended juice intake
• Incorporate healthy fats: Maintains guidance limiting saturated fat to less than 10 percent of total calories. Broadens acceptable “healthy fat” sources to include more animal-derived fats
• Focus on whole grains: Reinforces focus on consuming fiber-rich whole grains (2-4 servings a day) and tightens guidance to further reduce intake of refined grains and carbohydrates
• Limit highly processed foods and added sugars: Adds meal-based added-sugar limits and discourages low-calorie sweeteners, not just sugary foods
• Limit alcoholic beverages: Shifts guidance from specific drink-count limits to a broader recommendation emphasizing reduction and caution, maintains complete avoidance for at-risk populations

The guidelines also include additional information targeted towards specific populations such as children and mothers, individuals with chronic diseases and those with dietary restrictions.  

From guidelines to federal policy: The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

In coordination with the recently released guidelines, the Trump Administration also signed the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (S. 222) into law on January 14. The law expands milk options in schools to include whole, reduced fat and nondairy milk for students. USDA also released implementation guidance for schools with changes to take effect as early as Fall 2026.  

County implications

Counties play a vital role in promoting community health and well-being through the delivery of essential services and infrastructure. County officials are well positioned to develop local policies that expand opportunities for healthy eating and active living. As intergovernmental partners, counties are ready to collaborate with federal and state partners to design, implement and administer food and nutrition programs.

NACo supports efforts to promote healthy diets, specifically by improving access to fresh foods, investing in programs that expand healthy food options, supporting local retail and food-based businesses and increasing access to farmers markets. As federal policies and programs are developed in alignment with the new Dietary Guidelines, NACo will work to keep counties informed and engaged.

Learn more about the new Dietary Guidelines:  

• Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
• Guidelines Real Food Homepage
• The Scientific Foundation for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans