New Food Pyramid Emphasizes 'Real' Foods Over Ultraprocessed

Dietary guidelines recommend minimizing processed foods and increasing protein, healthy fats, and whole foods

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 that feature an updated food pyramid design. The overarching theme is to replace ultraprocessed foods, which make up about 70% of the U.S. food supply, with healthier whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein sources, and healthy fats. The guidelines also recommend increasing daily protein intake and limiting added sugars and sodium. While the advice about ultraprocessed foods has been praised, some experts have raised concerns about the feasibility and affordability of the new guidelines for many Americans.

Why it matters

The new food pyramid and dietary guidelines aim to address the growing health concerns associated with the prevalence of ultraprocessed foods in the American diet, which have been linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. However, making the shift to a diet centered on whole, minimally processed foods can be challenging for many due to cost, accessibility, and convenience factors.

The details

The updated food pyramid places fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods like poultry, seafood, and plant-based options at the top, indicating they should make up the bulk of one's diet. Whole grains, dairy, and healthy fats are also emphasized. The guidelines recommend limiting intake of added sugars to no more than 10 grams per meal and sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams per day. They also call for increasing daily protein intake to 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, up from the previous recommendation of 0.8 grams per kilogram.

  • The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 were released in February 2026.

The players

Kristin Kirkpatrick

A registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic who has commented on the new dietary guidelines.

Michael Pollan

An author whose 2009 book "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual" is cited as a source of advice for the new guidelines.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The government agency that released the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 and the accompanying food pyramid.

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What they’re saying

“We have plenty of data showing the inclusion of processed foods, especially ultraprocessed foods, contributes to poor health. It really is the opposite of what we would consider real food.”

— Kristin Kirkpatrick, Registered Dietitian, Cleveland Clinic (bottomlineinc.com)

“On an individual level, there's a lot of positivity with this new idea of the guidelines. But it still warrants having a conversation with a healthcare provider to make these recommendations fit within your own health profile and goals.”

— Kristin Kirkpatrick, Registered Dietitian, Cleveland Clinic (bottomlineinc.com)

What’s next

Dietitians and healthcare providers will work with individuals to personalize the new dietary guidelines based on their specific health needs, budgets, and food preferences.

The takeaway

The updated food pyramid and dietary guidelines aim to steer Americans away from ultraprocessed foods and toward a diet focused on whole, nutrient-dense foods. However, making this shift may be challenging for many due to cost and accessibility barriers, highlighting the need for personalized guidance from healthcare professionals.