New recommendations, presented January 7, 2026is a signal that diet is no longer solely a private matter in the United States. Changes are not just a minor correction, but an attempt response to the epidemic of obesity and diet-related diseases. Presented by the administration of President Donald Trump the document is shorter than previous editionsbut its message is clear – Americans eat poorly and the state intends to change it. “Better health starts on your plate, not in the doctor’s office,” says the slogan on the website dedicated to the recommendations. Previous guidelines, which promoted large amounts of ratified grains and low-fat products, encouraged excessive consumption of sugar and highly processed foods. This ultimately led to increasing cases of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The change in approach is not accidental. The United States has been struggling with a health crisis for years, the common denominator of which is diet. Diet-related diseases have become one of the main burdens of the health care system (as much as 90% of the costs), generating huge expenses and reducing the quality of life of millions of citizens. According to data published on the government website, as much as 50 percent Americans have prediabetes or diabetes, and 75 percent adults declare that they suffer from at least one chronic disease.
The presidential administration directly admits that a nutritional model based on highly processed cereal products, cheap sugar and white flour has not fulfilled its function. The new food pyramid is intended to symbolically close this chapter and completely reverse the proportions on the plate – from caloric fillers towards truly nutritious products.
A key element of the guidelines is promotion of unprocessed food in line with current scientific knowledge and more protein in the diet (daily from 1.2 to 1.6 g per kilogram of body weight). Added sugars and highly processed products are to be limitedespecially those that dominate the American lifestyle (e.g. wheat bread, fast food). According to authorities, they adversely affect heart health and metabolism.
The document also clearly distinguishes carbohydrates – whole grains are acceptable, but refined grain products should be reduced. This comes as a surprise to many returning to more fats in the diet. Olive oil, butter and animal fats are preferred, while seed oils are criticized. Vegetables and fruitsconsumed in its natural form, They should appear on the menu at least 5 times a day (vegetables three times, fruit twice).
The new guidelines do not eliminate any product group. However, they indicate the proportions in which they should be included in the diet. Eggs, meat, fish, dairy products, vegetables, fruit, oats and whole grain bread are to gradually replace foods rich in additives, salt and sugar.
The document, unlike previous editions, has a simplified form to be accessible to most citizens (the main recommendations fit on several pages). He was not only directed to dieticians and doctorsbut also representatives schools, military and nutritional support programs. The Trump administration wants the recommendations to be realistically applicable.
The new US dietary guidelines are a clear change in the country’s health policy. The inverted food pyramid is intended to help stop the epidemic of lifestyle diseases and reduce treatment costs.
Source: realfood.gov, rybzdrowie.pl
