New Dietary Guidelines for Americans: What You Need to Know

The wait is almost over! The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which have a significant impact on school lunches, medical advice, and nutrition standards, are expected to be released as soon as June. According to sources familiar with the matter, the Trump administration is speeding up the timeline to influence meals served in the upcoming school year, starting later this summer.

What to Expect from the New Guidelines

The new dietary guidelines are still being developed, but sources indicate that they will address saturated fat, found mainly in meat and certain oils, and ultra-processed food. Recommendations on drinking alcohol are not expected to change dramatically. However, the guidelines may modify suggestions related to dairy consumption, including the possibility of recommending whole fat dairy instead of just low and non-fat dairy.

Impact on School Nutrition Standards

The guidelines will serve as the basis for school nutrition standards, which are set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). School districts may struggle to meet the new recommendations by the time school starts, as many have already placed orders for fall 2025 menus. However, the administration could offer flexibility, such as allowing schools to offer whole milk, which is currently not permitted.

Corporate Interests and the Guidelines

A report commissioned by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month raised concerns that the guidelines are compromised by corporate interests, such as the meat and sugar industries. The report, named after the Make America Healthy Again social movement linked with Kennedy, suggests that the current guidelines’ recommendation to reduce saturated fat and sodium is problematic and should instead focus on minimally processed food.

What the Current Guidelines Recommend

The current dietary guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of total calories consumed daily and do not address ultra-processed food. They also recommend limiting consumption of alcoholic beverages to one a day for women and two for men, or not drinking at all.

The Importance of the Dietary Guidelines

The dietary guidelines have a significant impact on various aspects of American life, including:

• School meals: The USDA sets standards for school meals that align with the dietary guidelines.
• Medical advice: Doctors, nutritionists, and dieticians rely on the guidelines when advising patients.
• Nutrition standards: The guidelines influence the development of nutrition standards for various programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an anti-hunger program.

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Content originally published by health.economictimes.indiatimes.com