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Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a landmark shift for U.S. nutrition policy, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) has issued a groundbreaking Scientific Report recommending significant updates to the upcoming 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Business Wire reported on Tuesday that these recommendations include an unprecedented emphasis on nutrient-dense, plant-based meal options, plant-based proteins, and the benefits of legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils. These updates mark a pivotal moment in the approach to dietary recommendations, with implications for public health, sustainability, and federal nutrition programs.
The DGAC, composed of 20 leading experts in nutrition and public health, has not only called for a significant shift in dietary recommendations, but has placed an emphasis on plain water as the primary beverage and a reevaluation of the outsized role dairy plays in current dietary guidance.
The objective of the DGAC’s recommendations is to address chronic health issues plaguing the U.S., including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and diet-related cancers. The report at Business Wire highlighted that the committee advocates for prioritizing plant-based proteins over traditional animal-based proteins and moving legumes from the vegetable category to the protein category in the guidelines. By encouraging a shift to more nutrient-dense plant-based diets, the DGAC aims to empower Americans to make healthier choices that align with modern scientific findings.
Among the key updates proposed by the DGAC are:
Greater Emphasis on Plant-Based Proteins: The committee recommends reordering the protein foods category to prioritize plant-based options like beans, peas, and lentils ahead of meat, eggs, and dairy. This change reflects growing evidence of the health benefits of plant-based proteins and the risks associated with high consumption of animal-based proteins.
Focus on Nutrient Density: The DGAC encourages the adoption of more nutrient-dense meals by limiting foods high in saturated fat, such as red meat, eggs, and full-fat dairy. Instead, the report highlights lower-fat, plant-based options and the avoidance of tropical oils like coconut and palm oils.
Promotion of Water as the Primary Beverage: For the first time, the committee recommends plain drinking water as the primary beverage of choice, aiming to reduce reliance on sugary and calorie-dense drinks.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a nonprofit organization comprising 17,000 doctors, has hailed the DGAC’s report as a transformative step forward in nutrition policy. Dr. Anna Herby, a nutrition education specialist with PCRM emphasized the potential life-saving impact of these recommendations.
“Encouraging Americans to avoid red and processed meats and to finally recognize beans, peas, and lentils as a preferred source of protein will help save hundreds of thousands of lives a year from colorectal cancer, heart disease, and other diet-related diseases that plague our country,” Dr. Herby told Business Wire.
The report’s recommendations, if adopted, could mitigate the adverse health effects associated with diets high in saturated fat, which have been linked to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Additionally, the committee reaffirmed the importance of limiting total saturated fat intake to less than 10% of daily caloric intake, a guideline consistent with previous versions but now bolstered by the inclusion of specific plant-based alternatives.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as the foundation for a wide array of federal nutrition programs, including school lunches, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and public health initiatives. The Business Wire report indicated that adopting these new recommendations could have a ripple effect, influencing food production, accessibility, and consumer habits on a national scale.
By emphasizing plant-based proteins and reducing the prominence of animal-based products, these guidelines could not only improve health outcomes but also contribute to environmental sustainability—a key consideration in global efforts to combat climate change.
Also indicated in The Business Wire report was that while the report sets a forward-thinking tone, its full implementation depends on the agencies’ adoption of these recommendations into official policy.
The DGAC’s Scientific Report, now available on DietaryGuidelines.gov, is the culmination of an extensive review process. Over seven public meetings, including the final session held on October 21–22, the committee reviewed scientific literature, conducted food pattern modeling, and consulted with experts to formulate its recommendations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to the information provided in the Business Wire report. The report is open for public comment for 60 days, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to weigh in on its conclusions.
A key finding in the report is the DGAC’s critique of the overemphasis on dairy in the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The ubiquitous MyPlate diagram, which prominently features a glass-of-milk icon as a recommended side beverage, exemplifies this bias. The report at Business Wire noted that the existing guidelines advocate for three servings of dairy per day for all Americans, irrespective of calorie needs, and explicitly excludes nondairy alternatives apart from soy milk.
This promotion of dairy is problematic for several reasons:
Nutritional Concerns: Milk’s primary components are sugar (lactose) and fat, with dairy products serving as the leading source of saturated fat in the American diet. Excessive saturated fat consumption is linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Health Disparities: The guidelines disproportionately affect people of color, who are more likely to experience lactose intolerance. The Business Wire report said that according to Dr. Herby, “recommending water as the drink of choice is a win for everyone’s health, especially for many people of color who suffer disproportionately from lactose intolerance.”
The DGAC’s recommendations align with growing scientific consensus on the health benefits of limiting saturated fats and the need for inclusive dietary guidelines that accommodate diverse nutritional needs.
The DGAC’s Scientific Report represents a bold step toward modernizing dietary guidelines to reflect current scientific understanding and address public health challenges. By questioning entrenched dietary norms and advocating for evidence-based changes, the report lays the groundwork for a healthier, more inclusive approach to nutrition.
This evolution in dietary guidance reflects a growing recognition of the need for sustainable, science-driven nutrition policies that prioritize public health over traditional norms. By addressing critical issues such as lactose intolerance, saturated fat consumption, and beverage choices, the DGAC’s report offers a blueprint for a healthier America.
