Overview
- The newly released federal guidelines prioritize quality proteins at each meal and advise roughly 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.
- Officials urge avoiding added sugars and non‑nutritive sweeteners entirely, with guidance that children under four should not consume them.
- The document encourages fats from whole foods, including full‑fat dairy, meats, eggs and olive oil, even as critics point to unresolved messages about saturated fat limits.
- Refined carbohydrates and ultraprocessed, high‑salt or high‑sugar packaged foods are de‑emphasized in favor of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
- An appendix outlines plant‑based options for meeting protein targets, while nutrition professionals debate scientific consistency, cultural fit and the costs for federal feeding programs.