Image: The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the redesigned inverted food pyramid and 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, putting “real food” back at the center of health. (realfood.gov)

Reviewed by Tracey Abell, ACHS President, and Dr. Patricia Kaufman, ACHS Dean of Integrative Health and Nutrition

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, introducing a redesigned food pyramid intended to support public nutrition education and federal nutrition programs.

The updated guidance marks a notable shift in federal nutrition communication, reintroducing the pyramid as a visual tool and emphasizing what the agencies describe as a “real food” approach to dietary patterns.

Overview of the New Food Pyramid

The newly released pyramid differs from prior federal visuals in both structure and emphasis:

• The pyramid is inverted, with the widest section at the top.
• Animal protein, whole-fat dairy (with no added sugars), and fats from whole foods occupy the most prominent visual space.
• Vegetables and fruits are positioned alongside animal protein-focused foods.
• Whole grains appear at the narrow base, accompanied by guidance to limit refined carbohydrates and ultra-processed foods

According to the federal agencies, the pyramid is intended to simplify nutrition guidance and reinforce foundational dietary principles for the general public.

Key Dietary Priorities Highlighted in the Guidelines

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines emphasize the following high-level principles:

• Prioritizing protein intake at meals 
• Consuming vegetables and fruits daily, with a preference for whole forms
• Including fats from whole food sources such as nuts, seeds, seafood, eggs, olives, and avocados
• Choosing whole grains while reducing refined carbohydrates
• Limiting ultra-processed foods, added sugars, and artificial additives
• Selecting water and unsweetened beverages for hydration
• Adjusting portion sizes based on age, sex, body size, and activity level

The Guidelines also include tailored recommendations for specific populations, including infants and children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating individuals, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.

Guidance Influence on Federal Programs and Policy

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as the foundation for multiple federal nutrition initiatives and education efforts. Following their release, updates are expected across programs such as:

• School meal standards (National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs) menus, nutrient targets, and food requirements are updated to reflect the new guidance.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition guidance and food packages: eligibility nutrition criteria, counseling messages, and food package composition are adjusted based on the DGA.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) education materials (SNAP-Ed) nutrition education materials and messaging are aligned with the latest dietary recommendations (though SNAP benefits themselves aren’t dictated by the DGA).

As with prior editions, the 2025–2030 Guidelines are expected to influence public health messaging, consumer education, and institutional nutrition standards over the next five years. This presents an opportunity for ACHS nutrition graduates to pursue roles in these areas, where they can also apply an integrative approach to nutrition and lifestyle for optimal health. 

Scientific Review and Evidence Base

The HHS and USDA updates indicate that the dietary guidelines are informed by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) scientific report, which evaluates current nutrition research across dietary patterns, nutrients, and health outcomes.

While the scientific report provides detailed evidence reviews, the final public-facing Guidelines and pyramid prioritize simplified messaging designed for broad public understanding. Differences between the scientific report and the final visual guidance reflect longstanding tensions between technical evidence review and public communication.

The Industry Responds: Perspectives from the Nutrition & Wellness Sector

Following the release of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines, several professional and trade organizations have issued statements or commentary addressing the updates. Common themes emerging across industry responses include:

• The role of nutrient-dense foods in supporting public health
• Considerations related to nutrient adequacy across life stages
• The continued role of dietary supplements and herbal products as complementary tools when dietary intake falls short
• The importance of aligning nutrition policy with real-world access, affordability, and consumer behavior

Here’s a snapshot of industry reports: 

• National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches (NBHWC) shared FAQs for institutions highlighting that the new guidelines, “…are not individualized nutrition prescriptions and do not replace medical or clinical nutrition care.” They also highlight that NBHWC standards remain unchanged and continue to emphasize “healthy diet basics (e.g., whole foods, fruits and vegetables, fiber, healthy fats),” among other integrative dietary recommendations. The NBHWC also shared that their focus remains “evidence-informed practice, client autonomy and self-direction, and respect for diverse cultural, dietary, and health contexts.”
• American Nutrition Association (ANA) welcomed the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines’ emphasis on whole, nutrient-dense foods, fiber, reduced added sugars, and limits on ultra-processed foods, noting progress for metabolic and microbiome health. At the same time, ANA raised concerns about the visual prioritization of red meat and full-fat dairy above Mediterranean-style foods, citing inconsistency with evidence on chronic disease prevention and with the Guidelines’ own recommendation to limit saturated fat. Similar to NBHWC, ANA emphasized that personalized, evidence-informed nutrition guidance remains essential to help individuals apply the Guidelines effectively.
• National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) characterized the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines as a meaningful shift toward principles long emphasized in holistic nutrition, including real food, nutrient density, reduced reliance on ultra-processed foods, and flexibility to support personalized approaches. NANP highlighted alignment with practices such as prioritizing quality protein, healthy fats, fiber-rich whole grains, and acknowledging lower-carbohydrate approaches for some individuals, while emphasizing that the Guidelines function as a framework, requiring skilled practitioners to translate federal guidance into practical, accessible strategies across diverse populations.
• Stanford School of Medicine: Stanford’s analysis finds that the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans reaffirm important, evidence-based principles, such as prioritizing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limiting added sugars and ultra-processed foods, while at the same time raising significant concerns. The review notes an overemphasis on protein despite widespread adequacy, insufficient attention to fiber shortfalls, and inconsistencies around saturated fat guidance. It also flags vague language on processed foods, basic factual errors, and a lack of meaningful consideration for biological and cultural diversity, including lactose intolerance. Stanford’s analysis asserts that taken together, these gaps risk undermining clarity, equity, and public trust, particularly given that several science-based recommendations from the independent DGAC were not fully reflected in the final guidance.

Integrative Nutrition at the Core of ACHS Education

At American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), we have a nearly 50-year history focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods, healthy fats, fiber-rich dietary patterns, and personalized nutrition as foundations of wellness and to support the prevention of chronic disease. This began with our Founder Dorene Petersen’s experience as a medical social worker working directly with communities without access to wellness knowledge and healthy foods.

In many ways, the release of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines reinforces core principles embedded in ACHS curricula, including critical evaluation of dietary approaches, emphasis on food quality over reductionist approaches, and the role of individualized, evidence-informed nutrition care. ACHS programs bridge traditional approaches with emerging research through an integrative, sustainable, and holistic lens, preparing graduates to interpret guidelines thoughtfully and apply them responsibly across diverse populations and practice settings. Personalized approaches remain critical to supporting health outcomes, including determining the best protein source based on individual needs and preferences, such as evaluating animal and plant proteins. 

ACHS will continue to provide updates as the new standards are implemented nationally. 

About the ACHS Wellness Wire

The ACHS Wellness Wire provides timely, evidence-informed updates on research, regulatory developments, and industry trends relevant to integrative health and wellness professionals. Updates are designed to support informed decision-making while recognizing areas of ongoing scientific and regulatory discussion.

This article is for informational purposes only. The information included is representative of industry trends as provided in the references. Please refer to third-party sites for additional information. ACHS does not guarantee graduate employment or other placement. Note that professional success is achieved by a number of factors beyond education and experience, including soft skills, work ethic, integrity, and other skills that may not be developed through education and training alone.