Will new dietary guidelines for Americans just encourage them to eat more junk food?

No, the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans explicitly discourage junk food by targeting highly processed items, added sugars, refined carbs, and sugar-sweetened beverages for the first time, promoting whole proteins, fruits, veggies, and whole grains instead. Critics note mixed messages on saturated fats, but the core shift reduces ultra-processed intake.[hhs]

Key Anti-Junk Provisions

  • Highly processed avoidance: Salty/sweet snacks, ready-to-eat explicitly limited.

  • Added sugars: <10% calories, no SSBs.

  • Refined carbs: Prioritize fiber-rich whole grains.

Potential Concerns

Some interpret protein/fat emphasis (full-fat dairy) as junk-friendly, but guidelines retain sat fat <10% and call out preservatives/dyes. Impacts school meals/SNAP to curb junk access.

Overall, a step against junk overconsumption.

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