2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Put Real Food Back at the Center of Health

Real food starts here. Better health begins on your plate—not in your medicine cabinet.

The 2025-2030 dietary guidelines for americans mark a major reset of federal nutrition policy in the United States. Released in January 2026 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the new dietary guidelines advisory deliver a clear directive: ‘eat real food'. 

For the first time, the new guidelines for Americans directly address the health risks of highly processed foods, added sugar, and refined carbohydrates, while prioritizing nutrient-dense, whole food choices as the foundation of overall health.

This shift reflects growing consensus in nutrition science — and mirrors how brands like That’s All Protein have approached food from the start: simple ingredients, real protein, and no ultra-processed shortcuts.

The New Food Pyramid Signals a Reset in Federal Nutrition Policy

The new food pyramid introduced under the 2025–2030 dietary guidelines flips the old USDA food pyramid on its head.

Instead of whole grains forming the base, the new pyramid prioritizes:

• Nutrient-dense protein (meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes)

• Vegetables and fruits

• Healthy fats from whole foods, including olive oil, avocado, nuts, and naturally occurring saturated fats

• Full-fat dairy

Whole grains are reduced to a smaller portion, while highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates are explicitly discouraged.

This structure reflects the ingredient philosophy behind That’s All Protein bars, which emphasize protein, healthy fats, and whole-food ingredients without relying on refined grains, added sugar, or ultra-processed fillers.

Dietary guidelines advisory committee: Prioritize Real, Whole Food

What the Updated 2025–2030 guidelines reestablish 

The updated guidelines encourage Americans to:

• Prioritize nutrient whole food and minimally processed foods

• Build a sustainable dietary pattern that supports gut health, heart health, and long-term health outcomes

• Improve nutrition across all life stages, including older adults

This represents a fundamental shift in federal nutrition programs, health policy, and dietary guidance.

Foods with short, transparent ingredient lists—like those used in That’s All Protein—fit naturally within this real-food framework promoted by the hhs and usda as part of a healthy diet.

Protein Is Reestablished at the Center of Health

What RealFood.gov food policy and the guidelines recommend

The 2025 dietary guidelines guidelines deliver a clear increase recommended protein intake to 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, recognizing protein’s role in:

• Muscle maintenance

• Metabolic health

• Satiety

• Healthy aging, especially for older adults

Recommended protein sources include meat, seafood, eggs, full-fat dairy, nuts, and legumes.

That’s All Protein delivers high-quality protein from real food sources, making it easier to meet these protein targets without relying on highly processed supplements or artificial additives.

Minimally Processed Foods Over Highly Processed Foods

What the New Dietary Guidelines Emphasize

The new dietary guidelines for Americans explicitly discourage:

• consumption of Highly processed foods

• Refined carbohydrates such as white bread

• foods and beverages high in added sugar

• Ultra-processed snack products 

Instead, they promote nutrient-dense foods that support improved health outcomes and reduce chronic disease risk.

This approach aligns with replacing conventional snack bars loaded with fillers and sweeteners with minimally processed, real-food options.

Why the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines Matter Now

Chronic disease continues to dominate healthcare spending, and previous dietary guidance failed to prioritize food quality. The 2025–2030 dietary guidelines, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, represent the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades.

They reestablish real food as the foundation of health, rather than calorie targets or processed substitutes—signaling a broader shift in how Americans are encouraged to eat.

Bottom Line: Eat Real Food

The message from the USDA and HHS is unambiguous:

Eat real food. Avoid highly processed foods. Prioritize nutrient-dense protein.

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans put real food back at the center of health. Brands built around whole ingredients and real protein—like That’s All Protein—naturally fit within this new nutrition landscape.

Real food is back.
Protein is prioritized.
The food pyramid has changed.