Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 (Eat More Protein)

 The new version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 offers a significant change from previous versions.  The core of the new guidelines is to go back to "real food", not "processed and packaged" food.  It encourages a common sense focus on healthy eating rather than a set of "limits" or "maximums."  In this short series of articles, each week will will look at an overview of one of the recommendations.  This is an introduction to these guidelines, you will find the full version of the guidelines online at: https://realfood.gov/#resources.  These articles are sourced from an Epoch Times article: The Science Behind the New Dietary Guidelines. 

Eat More Protein, Especially Animal Protein

Previous protein intake recommendation was 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. These guidelines are a minimum, and not an optimum, threshold intended to be the minimum needed to maintain nutrient adequacy.  Previous guidelines suggested the minimum quality fuel rather than the optimal quality fuel.  

The new guidelines suggest a 60 to 120 percent increase in recommended protein intake and places particular emphasis on animal proteins over plant proteins.  A higher protein intake of 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight was associated with improved weight management across most age groups.

The government has not been able to set an upper limit on protein, which speaks to its relatively safe profile.  In studies of people eating 3.0 to 4.4 grams per kilogram of body weight very few adverse effects were noted.

Originally plant proteins were priorities over animal proteins but the new guideline notes that animal proteins provide a more complete nutrient profile for humans.  Animal proteins typically contain all essential amino acids whereas plant proteins do not have the same well-balanced ratio of essential amino acids and often contain anitnutrients that can make nutrient absorption more difficult.

Rather than eating more sugars and carbohydrates, reach for real food, especially animal proteins to ensure that you are getting a broad base of nutrients and micronutrients.