The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) may see significant changes based on a new report from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). For the first time, the committee has recommended placing greater emphasis on plant-based proteins.
The changes were originally discussed during the DGAC’s seventh and final public meeting on October 21-22, 2024, where the committee reviewed feedback and finalized its recommendations. Under the new guidelines, plant-based foods will be prioritized over animal-derived proteins, such as meat, eggs, and dairy, which have been linked to higher levels of saturated fat.
“Encouraging Americans to avoid red and processed meats […] will help save hundreds of thousands of lives a year”
Additionally, legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils would be officially recognized as protein sources rather than being categorized solely as vegetables. This change aims to offer a clearer understanding of protein-rich foods in a balanced diet, helping to dispel the common misconception about how vegans obtain their protein.
The DGAC’s report marks a shift toward nutrient-dense, plant-based meal options, reflecting growing scientific consensus about the health benefits of plant proteins. The committee also underscored the need for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revise the DGA’s protein food category, moving plant-based sources such as nuts, seeds, and soy products to the top, ahead of meat and dairy.
Saving lives from diet-related diseases
Dr. Anna Herby, nutrition education specialist with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, praised the report, stating, “Encouraging Americans to avoid red and processed meats, and to finally recognize beans, peas, and lentils as a preferred source of protein will help save hundreds of thousands of lives a year from colorectal cancer, heart disease, and other diet-related diseases that plague our country.”
The shift also includes recommendations to limit the consumption of saturated fats, which are prevalent in animal products like red meat and dairy. The DGAC continues to advise that saturated fat intake should account for less than 10% of daily calories and recommends replacing higher-fat animal products with lower-fat, plant-based alternatives. Additionally, oils like coconut and palm oil, which are high in saturated fat, would be excluded from the updated guidelines.
The dietary report focuses on the potential health benefits of plant-based diets, referencing studies that show a reduction in all-cause mortality risk in individuals following plant-based dietary patterns. While some of the terminology varies, including terms such as “Mediterranean” or “plant-based,” the consensus is clear: diets rich in nutrient-dense foods are associated with better long-term health outcomes.
Reassessing the role of dairy
One of the more notable recommendations in the DGAC report is the emphasis on water as the primary beverage of choice. The current Dietary Guidelines overstate the role of dairy, recommending three servings per day regardless of individual dietary needs. This is especially problematic for individuals who are lactose intolerant, a condition more common in certain racial and ethnic groups. In contrast, the committee advocates for plain water as the default beverage, which is seen as a healthier, more universally accessible option.
The recommendations are based on a thorough review of scientific literature, food pattern modeling, and expert input. The DGAC’s final report serves as the foundation for the upcoming revisions to the DGA, which guide nutritional recommendations for federal programs. The public will have 60 days to provide feedback on the report, which is available on the DietaryGuidelines.gov website.
Dr. Herby continued, “By recommending more healthier plant-based proteins and other foods, if adopted into the next Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the recommendations in the DGAC’s report would help mitigate the epidemics of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer that are linked to the saturated fat and other harmful ingredients in meat and other animal products.”
