The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommends the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans prioritize plant-based proteins over animal proteins.
The committee’s recently released final advisory report, issued after nearly two years of review, discourages the consumption of red meat, eggs and dairy and promotes water as the primary beverage of choice.
“These core elements are retained in the Eat Healthy Your Way Dietary Pattern, which is the Committee’s proposed dietary pattern—a single inclusive, flexible, dietary pattern that incorporates scientific evidence accumulated across many years and builds on the work of prior committees,” the report said.
The “Eat Healthy Your Way” framework is a shift toward greater consumption of plant-based foods and reducing the intake of red and processed meat. The committee said that by emphasizing legumes, nuts, seeds and soy products as primary protein sources, the recommendations reflect a commitment to promoting better health outcomes. The report notes that legumes, such as beans, peas and lentils, are nutritionally dense options that support heart health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
“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,” said Dr. Anna Herby, nutrition education specialist with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
The committee also advises reducing the intake of added sugars, saturated fats and sodium. The guidelines highlight the importance of portion control and meal planning as practical strategies to encourage balanced eating habits.
The guidelines address the dietary needs of individuals at every life stage, from early childhood to older adulthood, and acknowledge the significant gaps in current eating patterns. Many Americans fail to meet recommended dietary standards, contributing to widespread deficiencies in essential nutrients and an increased prevalence of chronic conditions. Adolescents, for example, often lack adequate intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while older adults face challenges in obtaining sufficient calcium, potassium and vitamin D, the report said.
The committee also incorporates cultural responsiveness into its recommendations, recognizing the diversity of American food traditions. By aligning dietary guidance with cultural preferences and practices, the committee said the “Eat Healthy Your Way” framework aims to make healthy eating more accessible and relatable.
The committee stressed that successfully implementing these guidelines will require collaborative efforts among policymakers, healthcare providers and community organizations. Ensuring these recommendations are actionable and equitable for all Americans is essential to closing the gap between current dietary habits and optimal nutritional practices, the committee concluded.
Objections
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) reiterated its opposition to the committee’s report and underscored the role of beef in a healthy diet.
“Cutting back on beef isn’t going to Make America Healthy Again,” said NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Science and Registered Dietitian Dr. Shalene McNeill. “We’ve had 40 years of Dietary Guidelines, and during that time, beef consumption has decreased, yet Americans suffer more from obesity and chronic disease than ever before.”
McNeill emphasized that advising Americans to reduce beef consumption moves further away from addressing the critical nutritional needs of vulnerable populations, including women, children, teens and older adults. Such advice, she said, diverts attention from the core challenges of promoting healthy eating habits. Instead, nutrition guidance should prioritize flexibility, allowing individuals to choose nutrient-dense foods and dietary patterns they enjoy while staying within calorie goals.
NCBA highlighted that a single 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides half of an individual’s daily protein requirements, along with 10 essential nutrients such as iron and B vitamins, all for fewer than 170 calories.
NCBA reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the inclusion of robust evidence supporting beef’s role in a healthy diet as the final guidelines are developed in the coming months.
Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the Meat Institute, strongly opposed the report’s recommendation to reduce meat consumption and urged agencies to reject it.
Potts expressed the same sentiment that meat products provide high-quality protein essential for muscle health, growth, brain development in children, satiety, healthy weight maintenance and preventing muscle loss in older adults. Potts noted that including meat and poultry in the diet helps consumers meet their needs for key nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and potassium, which the report identifies as underconsumed by many Americans.
“For the 95% of Americans who consume meat, the report’s recommendations are tone deaf and unrealistic,” Potts said. “Americans need guidance on how meat fits in a healthy diet. Directives from out-of-touch academics to eat legumes and avoid the nutrient-dense foods they love does not foster improved health and fails to account for the central role of meat within America’s cultural diversity.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and USDA have opened a 60-day public comment period on the report. Comments can be made online at tinyurl.com/yc7x98cz. In addition to the written public comment period, the public is invited to present oral comments at a virtual meeting on Jan. 16, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. Pre-registration to provide oral comments is required at tinyurl.com/3z96bz5d. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
