Reading Between the Lines of the New Dietary Guidelines

MedCity News January 20, 2026
Gretchen Zimmermann

From the heavy emphasis on limiting all ultra-processed foods and eliminating added sugars to placing saturated fats at the top of the pyramid, the new DGAs provide a framework, but highlight areas that still need nuance, clarity, and practical context.

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans update how we approach nutrition, emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense foods including protein, whole grains, vegetables, fruit, dietary fats, and dairy intake, but there is criticism the guidelines don’t consistently reflect the scientific consensus and also risk leaving vulnerable populations behind. From the heavy emphasis on limiting all ultra-processed foods and eliminating added sugars to placing saturated fats at the top of the pyramid, the new DGAs provide a framework, but highlight areas that still need...

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