Kennedy’s New Dietary Guidelines Shake Up U.S. Nutrition Advice — Winners and Losers

The Trump administration presents an updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) as a major shift in national nutrition advice, emphasizing whole foods such as meats, full‑fat dairy, fruits and vegetables while recommending fewer carbohydrates and a stronger focus on protein. The document — released under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — has drawn praise for some evidence-based recommendations and sharp criticism for others, fueling debate about industry influence, public messaging and practical implementation.

Meat and Dairy

Unlike the 2020–25 DGA, the revised guidance explicitly endorses full‑fat dairy (the term appears four times) and recommends a higher protein target of 1.2–1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. The previous guidance framed protein recommendations in food‑group amounts (roughly 5–7 ounces of protein‑rich foods per day for many adults).

Critics worry the shift favors animal sources of protein that can be higher in saturated fat and cholesterol. Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, called the recommendations unrealistic for many Americans and questioned the emphasis on high‑fat animal products.

“Was this written by Muscle and Fitness? I mean, that is not what the average American needs to have,” Barnard said, noting there is no physiological requirement for saturated fat.

Kennedy has publicly contested past guidance that warned against saturated fat, but the new DGA retains one familiar limit: saturated fat should account for no more than 10% of total daily calories.

Alcohol

The updated DGA adopts a more general position on alcohol. Rather than repeating prior numeric daily limits (two drinks per day for men, one for women), it advises Americans to "consume less alcohol for better overall health" and explicitly recommends that pregnant people and those taking certain medications avoid alcohol.

This vaguer language departs from the World Health Organization’s 2023 assessment that "no amount of alcohol is safe," and it drew criticism from public‑health advocates who say clearer limits better communicate risk. Industry groups welcomed the change, arguing it aligns with current scientific evidence from their perspective.

Heart Health

Major public‑health organizations broadly welcomed recommendations to increase vegetables, fruits and whole grains and to limit added sugars, refined grains, highly processed foods and sugary drinks. The American Heart Association, while supportive of many science‑based elements, urged consumers to prioritize plant‑based proteins, seafood and lean meats and to limit high‑fat animal products such as red meat, butter and lard because of cardiovascular risk.

Fruits and Vegetables

Produce recommendations remain largely intact. The new food graphic appears organized around three broad groups — protein, dairy and healthy fats; vegetables and fruits; and whole grains — compared with the previous five‑group pyramid. The earlier guidance suggested 3–5 daily servings of vegetables and 2–4 servings of fruit; the updated visual recommends approximately three vegetable servings and two fruit servings per day.

Advocates for fresh produce welcomed continued emphasis on fruits and vegetables but called for clearer subgroup serving‑size guidance, especially for school meal standards.

Processed Foods

The DGA singles out "highly processed foods" for limitation and avoidance, describing them as foods often high in refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats and various additives. Notably, the report avoids the academic label "ultra‑processed foods" (as defined by the NOVA system) even while describing many of the same concerns.

Industry representatives argued that some packaged and fortified foods can play a positive role in modern diets by providing nutrients, portion control and food safety. Public‑health voices counter that clearer definitions and communication are needed so consumers can distinguish between minimally processed, fortified and truly unhealthy products.

What This Means and What’s Next

The revised DGA rebalances several priorities: it elevates whole foods and protein, reintroduces support for full‑fat dairy, softens numerical guidance on alcohol and calls for limiting highly processed items. The guidance is likely to spark debate over industry influence, clinical communication, and how federal nutrition standards — including school meals — will be updated.

Implementation, public messaging and translation into policy and consumer guidance will determine how much the new DGA changes what Americans eat. Experts across medicine, public health and the food industry say clearer language and practical tools will be essential for successful rollout.