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Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030: What CHWs Should Know

  • iphamorreale
  • Jan 28
  • 3 min read

By Mizani Roberts, Intern, Illinois Public Health Association

January 2026


 

The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) released the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which the report refers to as “the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in our nation’s history.” The recommendations place a strong emphasis on cutting back on highly processed foods that are linked to chronic illness and going back to real, nutrient-dense foods (Fact Sheet: Trump Administration Resets U.S. Nutrition Policy, Puts Real Food Back at the Center of Health, 2026; Gov, 2025).

 

According to the new guidelines, individuals should significantly cut back on highly processed foods that contain refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives while focusing their diets around whole foods like protein foods, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains. The report also highlights how common chronic diseases like obesity and pre-diabetes are in the United States and how dietary choices have a direct impact on these health outcomes (Gov, 2025).

 

Specific recommendations included in the guidelines are:


● Prioritize high-quality, nutrient-dense protein foods: Both animal and plant sources, and aim for protein goals based on individual needs

● Hydrate with water and unsweetened beverages

● Pay attention to portion sizes

● Reduce consumption of highly processed foods and added sugars: Ideally <10g of added sugar per meal

● Limit sodium intake

● Consume a variety of colorful vegetables and fruits in their original form or as low-sugar frozen/dried options

● Consider life stage needs, including infant feeding and recommendations for pregnant and lactating women

 

The updated guidelines are meant to put real food back at the foundation of health and guide families in selecting nutrient-dense foods that help prevent diet-related chronic disease, according to the HHS fact sheet about the federal nutrition policy reset (Fact Sheet: Trump Administration Resets U.S. Nutrition Policy, Puts Real Food Back at the Center of Health, 2026). This focus promotes nutrition as a necessary part of overall public health.

 

Community Health Workers can help community members in the following ways:


● Helping them to understand what “nutrient-dense” foods are and how to incorporate them at a reasonable cost.

○ Nutrient-dense: Nutrient-dense foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients important to our health. They also don’t have too much saturated fat, added sugars, and/or sodium.

○ Nutrient density is the amount of nutrients you get for the calories consumed.

  • Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables

  • Eat whole grains and fiber-rich foods

  • Include healthy sources of protein (plant sources, fish, seafood, lean unprocessed meats, etc.)

  • Limit red and processed meats, sodium, added sugar, and alcohol

● Identifying barriers to accessing whole foods and connecting clients with resources that improve food security.

○ Local food banks, community gardens, food pantries, and farmers' markets.

○ Identify costs, transportation challenges, and connecting clients to SNAP, WIC, and meal programs

● Translate federal guidance into culturally relevant and realistic eating habits

○ Suggesting healthier portions and cooking methods

● Encourage healthy choices that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases commonly prevalent in their communities.

○ Reducing sugar drinks and increasing fiber to support heart health and help prevent diabetes


As trusted voices in the community, CHWs play an important role in helping families to incorporate these recommendations into everyday life, from grocery shopping and meal planning to understanding how food affects their long-term health.

 

Sources:


American Heart Association. (2021, November 2). How Can I Eat More Nutrient-Dense Foods? www.heart.org. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/how-can-i-eat-more-nutrient-dense-foods

Fact Sheet: Trump Administration Resets U.S. Nutrition Policy, Puts Real Food Back at the Center of Health. (2026, January 7). HHS.gov. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/fact-sheet-historic-reset-federal-nutrition-policy.html

Gov, R. (2025). Dietary Guidelines For Americans. https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA.pdf



 
 
 
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