Updated healthy nutrition guidelines (United States): Expert opinions from the Russian dietitians and clinicians
TL;DR
The reviewed guidelines are commendable for their systematic approach to limiting intake of harmful products, their emphasis on natural sources of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, and their advocacy for reduced alcohol consumption, Nevertheless, certain limitations require clarification, and improvements in categorization are necessary.
Abstract
In early January 2026, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services published the 2025—2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This document provides recommendations for selecting and restricting food products based on their composition, nutritional value, and processing methods. Objective. To provide an expert opinion on the newly established dietary guidelines in the United States. Materials and methods. Data for this analysis were collected from peer-reviewed articles published between 2003 and 2025, sourced from platforms such as PubMed, eLibrary, CyberLeninka, and other academic resources. This time frame includes key clinical studies pertinent to the subject matter. Results. The new guidelines advocate reducing consumption of processed products; however, they fail to define which specific products fall into this category, potentially causing confusion among consumers. The inverted pyramid presentation, which positions proteins, dairy, and healthy fats at the apex alongside fruits and vegetables, has been criticized for endorsing higher meat consumption, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the recommendation to increase intake of whole milk and non-fat products contradicts the guidance to minimize consumption of «harmful» fats, as these products inherently contain saturated fats. The guidelines adopt a rigorous approach when evaluating processed foods. Conclusions. The reviewed guidelines are commendable for their systematic approach to limiting intake of harmful products, their emphasis on natural sources of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, and their advocacy for reduced alcohol consumption. Nevertheless, certain limitations require clarification, and improvements in categorization are necessary. Further investigation into the long-term effects and implications of these guidelines on human health is warranted.