New Federal Dietary Guidelines Emphasize Protein and Real Foods While Cutting Sugar

New federal dietary recommendations were issued by the US Departments of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in January 2026, signaling a paradigm shift in food recommendations in the US. Eating higher amounts of protein, steering clear of added sugars, and cutting back on highly processed foods are the recommendations, reflecting growing concern in the US over “chronic diseases” such as metabolic syndromes, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc...^1,2 “Our message is clear: Eat real food,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of HHS, said at a White House briefing.³ These recommendations indicate a departure in food recommendations for healthcare professionals such as pharmacists, who are responsible for advising patients regarding food-related health recommendations.

A Significant Increase in Recommended Protein Intake

One of the most notable updates in the new federal dietary guidance is a substantial increase in recommended daily protein intake. The guidelines advise adults to consume approximately 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, compared with the long-standing recommendation of 0.8 grams per kilogram.¹ This change reflects accumulating evidence that higher protein intake supports muscle mass preservation, metabolic health, and functional independence, particularly among older adults.

The recommended daily intake of protein is important to maintain lean body mass, satiety, and immune function.^1,4 For patients managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or sarcopenia, adequate protein intake might help to stabilize blood glucose levels, improve satiety, and reduce the risk of frailty. Pharmacists are well-placed to reinforce protein-focused dietary guidance in routine counseling, given their frequent interactions with older adults and patients taking weight-affecting medications.

“The American Medical Association applauds the administration's new Dietary Guidelines for spotlighting the highly processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and excess sodium that fuel heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses," Bobby Mukkamala, MD, American Medical Association President, said in a statement.¹

Zero-Tolerance Messaging on Added Sugar and Ultra-Processed Foods

Unlike past dietary guidelines, which permitted a certain level of added sugar, these current recommendations specify added sugars do not qualify as a healthy part of a person’s diet. If adding the macronutrient, recommendations suggest consuming no more than 10 grams for a meal. The trend of limiting added sugar consumption comes as a growing body of evidence confirms a link between its consumption and factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, heart disease, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.¹

"Today, our government declares war on added sugar," Kennedy said.¹

High intake of added sugars remains prevalent in the US diet, driven by sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods (UPFs).⁵ Research has found that added sugars can be predictors for adverse cardiovascular conditions and overall poorer diet quality.⁴ In relation to pharmacists trying to manage patients with anti-hyperglycemic therapies, anti-hypertensive medications, or lipid-lowering therapies, sugar intake can be an essential factor in improving patient outcomes without needing any changes in medication.

The new guidance also discourages consumption of ultra-processed foods, which often contain high levels of added sugars, refined carbohydrates, sodium, and artificial additives.¹ Ultra-processed foods now account for a substantial portion of daily caloric intake in the United States and have been linked to increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction.⁵

Although the guidelines stop short of providing a formal regulatory definition for ultra-processed foods, they emphasize prioritizing whole, minimally processed foods such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.¹

Reducing Health Care Costs

Continuing to subsidize foods that contribute to poor health represents one of the costliest public policy decisions in the US. Nutrition assistance programs are designed for food security, but many of the most popular products purchased in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are sugar-sweetened beverages, candy, and snack foods. With 42 million Americans participating in the SNAP program for nutritional assistance, and an estimated 78% participating in Medicare, incentive programs for unhealthy food choices contribute, in many ways, to poor health and rising health care costs.²

The financial costs associated with diet-related chronic disease are staggering. A recent estimate from Johns Hopkins University determined that almost half of all federal tax dollars go to health care spending, and approximately 90% of all US health care costs are related to treating individuals with chronic conditions. Many of these diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, have their etiology in dietary habits and thus are considered to be preventable—and in some cases, reversible—with dietary and lifestyle changes.²

Conclusion

The revised federal guidelines for nutrition indicate a significant shift toward higher protein intake, a limited amount of added sugar, and decreased consumption of UPFs.^1,2 For pharmacists, this further emphasizes the utilization of nutrition education as a part of patient care. With this integration of nutrition and pharmacological care of a patient, pharmacists can play a meaningful role in improving healthcare and long-term clinical outcomes.

REFERENCES

1. Douglas L. Trump administration advises more protein, less sugar in new dietary guidelines. Reuters. Published January 7, 2026. Accessed January 7, 2026.https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/trump-administration-advises-more-protein-less-sugar-new-dietary-guidelines-2026-01-07/

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

3. Aleccia J. New dietary guidelines urge Americans to avoid processed foods. AP News. Published January 7, 2026. Accessed January 7, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/dietary-guidelines-health-agriculture-federal-nutrition-2d8fa56be3c5900fc45116af7c69d786

4. Martínez Steele E, Baraldi LG, Louzada ML, Moubarac JC, Mozaffarian D, Monteiro CA. Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2016;6(3):e009892. Published 2016 Mar 9. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009892

5. Are Ultraprocessed Foods Good or Bad? Updated August 11, 2025. Accessed January 7, 2025. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/are-ultraprocessed-foods-good-or-bad