United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Plant-based food pyramid

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Health

New 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Place Emphasis on Plant Proteins, Potentially Saving Hundreds of Thousands of Lives

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.  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 …

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Planetary Health Diet

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Health

Proposed US Dietary Guidelines Prioritize Plant Proteins Over Meat for the First Time

The US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) are currently reviewing proposed updates to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines that would shift emphasis toward plant-based proteins, a significant adjustment from traditional recommendations.  The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee held its seventh and final meeting on October 21, 2024, where a preliminary plan proposed to prioritize plant-based protein sources over animal-based ones. This meeting, hosted by the National Institutes of Health, is part of a larger initiative to revise the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are updated every five years. Key among the proposed changes is a restructuring of the “protein foods” category, which traditionally prioritized meat, eggs, poultry, and seafood. Under the new guidelines, the plant-based category of nuts, seeds, and soy products …

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child of color, school cafeteria, food security, social justice, impossible foods, Colin Kaepernick, Know Your Rights Camp

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Health

New USDA Rules Expand Vegan Options in School Meals

USDA’s new school meal standards will give greater access to nutritious foods for vegetarian and vegan children and those with dietary restrictions. This is an important step, as research indicates that school meals are American schoolchildren’s most important food source. The new rules, which took effect on July 1, 2024, were released by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They aim to improve the nutritional quality of school meals and other USDA Child Nutrition Programs. Beans, peas, and lentils Under the new rules, schools can combine grains, meats, and meat alternatives as meal components. Beans, peas, and lentils can replace meat at lunch, and cafeterias can offer dishes such as black bean burgers stir-fried with tofu, falafel …

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