The USDA wants Americans to eat more meat.

In a move making good on promises under the Trump Administration's Make America Healthy Again pledges, MAHA advocate US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy,Jr. and US Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030 on Jan. 7, 2026. The guidelines mark a refocusing of federal nutrition policy for the first time in decades, with a renewed focus on protein consumption.

The new USDA nutrition guidelines lead with a bullet point that is welcome news to the meat and poultry industry:

• Prioritize protein at every meal
• Consume full-fat dairy with no added sugars.
• Eat vegetables and fruits throughout the day, focusing on whole forms.
• Incorporate healthy fats from whole foods such as meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados.
• Focus on whole grains, while sharply reducing refined carbohydrates.
• Limit highly processed foods, added sugars, and artificial additives.
• Eat the right amount for you, based on age, sex, size, and activity level.
• Choose water and unsweetened beverages to support hydration.
• Limit alcohol consumption for better overall health.

In promoting its new nutrition guidance, the Administration is taking a bold tone. According to a USDA fact sheet (Trump Administration Resets U.S. Nutrition Policy, Puts Real Food Back at the Center of Health), previous USDA dietary guidelines demonized protein in favor of carbohydrates, adding that the new nutritional guidelines reflect "gold standard" science by prioritizing high quality, nutrient-dense protein foods in every meal. The fact sheet specifically mentions inclusion of poultry, seafood and red meat in Americans' diets.

Industry reaction

Meat and poultry industry trade groups welcomed the updated nutrition guidelines.

Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said the organization was pleased the fietary guidelines recommend Americans prioritize protein and emphasize that families can get that protein from meat and poultry.

"Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy’s leadership have simplified the dietary guidelines, making it clear that meat is a protein powerhouse, which plays a vital role in healthy diets,” Potts said. “Robust scientific evidence demonstrates that meat is a rich source of high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and highly bioavailable minerals that support human health throughout the lifespan.”

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association lauded the updated dietary guidelines for nearly doubling the recommended daily amount for protein intake, increasing it to 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram body weight, depending on  age group and individual caloric needs. 

"America's pork producers appreciate the 2025 dietary guidelines putting pork front and center on the plate," said Rob Brenneman, National Pork Producers Council president-elect. "They took note of producer concerns and rightly gave pork and other high-protein, nutrient-dense, and delicious meats their due when it comes to Americans' health and dietary habits."

National Chicken Council Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Ashley Peterson said, "“I want to thank President Trump and Secretaries Rollins and Kennedy for their leadership in the formulation of the new guidelines. We’re pleased the administration took a science-based and common-sense approach to healthy eating and rejected recommendations put forth by the previous Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee that emphasized plant-based proteins over lean meats like chicken, as evidenced in the new Food Pyramid.” .  . 

National Turkey Federation President and CEO Leslee Oden said the the 2025-2030 dietary guidelines shared the federation's commitment to improving the health and well-being of Americans. Oden said the guidelines' emphasis on animal protein as a cornerstone of healthy, balanced dietary patterns aligns with the goal of furthering American families' well-being through practical, affordable and accessible nutrition guidance.

USDA's dietary guidelines fact sheet also names plant-based foods — including beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy — under its protein source recommendations.

USDA's new nutrition guidance embraces the MAHA position on what it terms highly processed foods, urging Americans to "avoid highly processed packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat or other foods that are salty or sweet."

The dietary guidelines also provide tailored nutritional recommendations for infants and children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, older adults, individuals with chronic disease, and vegetarians and vegans, with a focus on ensuring nutritional adequacy across all life stages.

Nutrition policy timeline

The USDA's original Food Guide Pyramid debuted in 1992, emphasizing a dietary focus toward carbs (six to 11 servings a day), while suggesting two or three servings of meat daily. The Food Guide Pyramid received an update in 2025 to incorporate exercise as part of its guidance. USDA's MyPlate succeeded the Food Guide Pyramid in 2010, favoring fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins.

Jointly published by USDA and HHS every five years, the dietary guidelines are the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy, shaping federal nutrition spending priorities on programs including SNAP food benefits and school lunch programs.

According to USDA, nearly 90% of health care spending goes toward treating chronic disease —, much of it linked to diet and lifestyle ;— while more than 70% of American adults are overweight or obese.