Ep. 144 | New 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans – What You Need to Know [Part 1]

The new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released on January 7, 2026 and already they have created quite a stir. Perhaps you’ve seen the Guidelines and wonder what to make of them too. For one, there’s a featured image of an inverted pyramid comprising foods like butter, steak, whole milk and cheese. Then when you get onto the realfood.gov website, you are immediately shown three images - a stalk of broccoli, a carton of whole milk, and a piece of steak. But are all foods healthy and good for long-term health as long they don’t come processed and from a factory?

This is definitely worth discussing. So in this episode, let’s take a closer look at these Guidelines recently released. In this first part, I’ll highlight the positive recommendations made within the Guidelines and then 2 important things you need to know about them. I hope you’ll walk away with greater clarity into the matter and be more informed and equipped to make the best food choices for your health. Ready? Grab a warm cup of tea and let’s get started! 

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Episode Highlights & Key Timestamps:

• [1:49] How to get personalized support in building a plant-powered life 
• [3:11] Some reasons behind the controversy and stir caused by the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• [4:34] Guideline recommendations I fully support
• [6:12] Key thing #1: Not all foods are created equal
• [9:40] Key thing #2: There are mixed messages within the Guidelines
• [12:31] A personal story of how these Guidelines can be confusing
• [13:16]  What foods the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends for cardiovascular health  
• [14:53] The stance of other National Health Guidelines from developed countries
• [15:57] What to expect in Part 2 of this topic series

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References:

1. The 2025 – 2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://realfood.gov/. January 7, 2026. Accessed January 15, 2026.
2. Fact Sheet: Trump Administration Resets U.S. Nutrition Policy, Puts Real Food Back at the Center of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/fact-sheet-historic-reset-federal-nutrition-policy.html. January 7, 2026. Accessed January 15, 2026. 
3. 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. 2024. Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: Advisory Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Secretary of Agriculture. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://doi.org/10.52570/DGAC2025. Accessed January 16, 2026.
4. Canada Food Guide. Government of Canada. https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/. Modified March 31, 2025. Accessed January 16, 2026.
5. UK Eatwell Guide. Office of Health Improvement and Disparities. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guide. Published 17 March, 2016.  Accessed January 16, 2026.
6. Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Australian Government. National Health and Medical Research Council. Department of Health and Ageing. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating. Accessed January 16, 2026. 
7. Statement from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on the Release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. January 7, 2026. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.eatrightpro.org/about-us/who-we-are/public-statements/academy-statement-on-2025-2030-dgas-release?_zs=fIEFa&_zl=TS0n4
8. Dietary Guidelines Are a Mixed Bag, Show Industry Influence, Says Physicians Committee. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/dietary-guidelines-are-mixed-bag-show-industry-influence-says-physicians. January 7, 2026. Accessed January 16, 2026.
9. The Official Dietary Guidelines – good for health and climate. Anish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency. https://en.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/food/nutrition-and-health/the-official-dietary-guidelines. Accessed January 19, 2026.
10. Dutch dietary guidelines: protein sources and dietary patterns 2025. Health Council. https://www.healthcouncil.nl/documents/2025/12/04/dutch-dietary-guidelines-protein-sources-and-dietary-patterns-2025. Accessed January 19, 2026.