Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (USA) Releases Scientific Report for 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) has unveiled its Scientific Report, setting the stage for the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This routine update, mandated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), evaluates contemporary scientific and medical insights to shape future nutritional guidance.

Key areas of focus in the report include ultra-processed foods, plant-based diets, and portion sizes. Below are the highlights:

• Ultra-Processed Foods: These foods are associated with an increased risk of obesity and overweight in adults. The committee recommends further research on their effects on children’s growth and obesity risks.
• Plant-Based Diets: Replacing red meat—processed or unprocessed—with plant-based protein sources is shown to reduce cardiovascular disease risks.
• Portion Sizes: Larger portions significantly contribute to increased food and energy intake among adults and children. The report emphasizes consuming smaller portions of high-energy, low-nutrient foods.
• Snacking: The frequency of snacking has no strong correlation with body composition or obesity risk; however, improving the nutritional quality of snacks is essential.
• Saturated Fats: Limiting saturated fats to less than 10% of daily calorie intake from age two onward is recommended, with a focus on replacing them with unsaturated fats for cardiovascular health.
• Healthy Dietary Patterns: Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and fish are linked to reduced risks of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and cognitive decline.

The DGAC suggests merging the existing dietary patterns into a flexible “Eat Healthy Your Way” model.

Key recommendations include:

• Reducing starchy vegetables while increasing beans, peas, and lentils in diets.
• Moving beans, peas, and lentils to the protein category to encourage plant-based food consumption.
• Providing clear guidance to consumers about sodium levels in foods.
• Encouraging plain water and nutrient-rich beverages, such as fat-free or low-fat milk and 100% juices, while reducing sugar-sweetened beverages.

Businesses and stakeholders should take note of the February 10, 2025, deadline for submitting comments on the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (DGAC) report, as it presents an opportunity to influence the final recommendations for the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  As the final recommendations are published, this will be a critical moment to adapt and innovate in response to evolving dietary trends and regulatory expectations.