WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newly released U.S. Dietary Guidelines under the Trump administration are drawing widespread support from medical associations, farm groups, and public health advocates, who praised their emphasis on whole foods and reduced reliance on ultra-processed products.
The updated guidelines place “real food” at the center of federal nutrition policy, prioritizing whole and minimally processed foods while urging limits on added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and highly processed items. Supporters described the changes as a major reset of nutrition policy aimed at tackling chronic disease and improving long-term health outcomes.
Major medical organizations said the revised guidance aligns closely with evidence-based practice. The American Medical Association said the guidelines directly address diet-related illness. AMA President Bobby Mukkamala said they “spotlight the highly processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and excess sodium that fuel heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses,” adding that the guidance “affirm[s] that food is medicine and offer[s] clear direction patients and physicians can use to improve health.” Mukkamala is the first Indian American to serve as AMA president.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also welcomed the update. Its president, Andrew Racine, said the organization recognized “the importance of the [guidelines’] clear focus on child nutrition guidance that supports healthy eating patterns for children, with a focus on whole, minimally processed foods.” He added that pediatricians “commend the inclusion of the academy’s evidence-based policy related to breastfeeding, introduction of solid foods, caffeine avoidance, and limits on added sugars.”
The American College of Cardiology said it appreciated the release of the updated guidance. President Christopher Kramer highlighted recommendations encouraging “eating whole fruits and vegetables; limiting added sugars, highly processed foods, saturated fats and sugary drinks; and incorporating whole grains and healthy fats from whole foods like meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, olives and avocados.”
Public health and hospital groups echoed similar views. The American Heart Association said the emphasis on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, along with limits on added sugars and processed foods, “align[s] closely with the longstanding dietary guidance” of leading public health authorities. American Hospital Association executive vice president Stacey Hughes said the guidelines “jump-start important conversations about what we eat” and reinforce nutrition’s role in preventing disease and supporting long-term health.
Agricultural and food producer groups also voiced support. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said the guidelines recognize “the importance of America’s farmers and ranchers who grow a safe and nutritious food supply,” and welcomed the focus on “high-quality protein, dairy, and fresh fruits and vegetables.” Meat and poultry groups praised the emphasis on protein, while dairy organizations said the guidance affirms the role of whole and full-fat dairy products in healthy eating patterns.
Advocates focused on reducing ultra-processed food consumption said the guidance marks a positive step. Environmental Working Group senior director Sarah Reinhardt said, “We already know that ultra-processed foods high in refined grains and added sugar are contributing to chronic disease,” calling it “an urgent public health problem.” Tufts University Food is Medicine Institute Director Dariush Mozaffarian said recommending that highly processed foods be eaten less “is a big deal and I think a very positive move for public health.”
Specialty health and consumer groups highlighted specific elements of the guidelines, including infant feeding practices, early food introduction to reduce allergies, and the reaffirmation that alcohol consumption, if it occurs, should be in moderation. Producers of fruits, vegetables, pulses, and eggs also welcomed the continued emphasis on nutrient-dense whole foods.
Political leaders aligned with the administration praised the shift. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “Gone are the days when American’s health was an afterthought,” while Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt welcomed seeing “meat and dairy at the top of the food pyramid.”
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are jointly issued by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture and are updated every five years. They guide federal nutrition programs, school meal standards, and public health messaging nationwide. (Source: IANS)
