Why Do We Have Dietary Guidelines? A Look Back at the History
Why Do We Have Dietary Guidelines? A Look Back at the History
What Are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are evidence-based recommendations designed to promote health, prevent chronic disease, and help people meet their nutrient needs. They are not rules or laws but guidance meant to shape how Americans eat. These guidelines also set the standard for many nutrition-related programs such as school lunches, Head Start, and senior meal programs.
Why Were They Created?
The first official Dietary Guidelines were released in 1980. At the time, there was growing concern about the rise of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, and the federal government recognized the need for consistent, science-based nutrition advice for the public. Before that, nutrition recommendations were scattered and often inconsistent.
The idea was to provide a clear framework for what a healthy diet should look like—something the public could use for everyday choices, while also guiding policy, education, and nutrition assistance programs.
How Often Are They Updated?
By law, the Dietary Guidelines are required to be reviewed and updated every five years. This ensures the recommendations remain aligned with the latest nutrition science, as research on food and health is continually evolving.
So far, new editions have been published every five years since 1980. That means the current version, the 2020–2025 guidelines, is the ninth edition, and the tenth edition, 2025–2030, is expected to be released in the next few months (as of September 2025).
How Are They Updated?
The process is more structured than many people realize. Two government agencies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), oversee the work.
Here’s how it happens (historically):
A committee of nutrition scientists and health experts—the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee—is formed.
This committee reviews the latest research on diet and health, including systematic reviews and existing evidence.
They release a scientific report with their findings.
The USDA and HHS review the committee’s work and write the official guidelines, which then become public policy guidance.
This process takes several years, and within the steps above, there is an opportunity for public comment, allowing anyone, including individuals, professional organizations, and businesses, to provide comments or feedback.
While the political climate may influence how the guidelines are received or discussed, the process itself is rooted in science and expert review.
Why Are They Updated?
Nutrition science does not stand still. New research helps refine our understanding of how diet impacts health. The updates ensure the guidelines reflect current knowledge about nutrients, food patterns, and chronic disease prevention.
For example, in earlier versions, fat was broadly discouraged, but over time, the focus shifted to types of fat rather than eliminating fat altogether. This change reflects newer evidence about unsaturated fats and heart health.
Do People Follow the Guidelines?
The short answer: not really. Most Americans fall short of the recommendations, especially when it comes to eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. At the same time, most people get too much added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. Heck, most people couldn’t tell you what they are, let alone any fragment of what they recommend.
This gap between what the guidelines recommend and how people actually eat highlights the challenge of turning advice into daily habits.
Why They Matter Beyond Individual Choices
Even if someone never reads the guidelines, they are still influenced by them. These recommendations shape the menus in school lunch programs, early childhood nutrition programs like Head Start, and senior meal programs. They also inform food labeling, federal nutrition education, and public health initiatives. It affects far more than most people realize.
That makes the guidelines more than just advice—they set the tone for how nutrition policy is carried out across the country.
Highlights from the 2020–2025 Guidelines
When the 2020–2025 edition was released, it brought a few key updates compared to previous versions:
Life stage approach: For the first time, the guidelines included specific recommendations for infants and toddlers from birth through 24 months. Prior versions were only aimed at those 2 years and older.
Added sugars: The guidance emphasized limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories, beginning at age 2. None before age 2.
Alcohol: The committee suggested lowering alcohol recommendations, but the final guidelines kept the previous limits (up to 1 drink per day for women and 2 for men).
Dietary patterns: The guidelines continued to emphasize the importance of overall eating patterns based on personal preferences and cultural practices rather than focusing on individual foods or nutrients.
Looking Ahead
The 2020–2025 guidelines will soon be replaced with the next edition. While the specifics may change, the goal will (ideally) remain the same: to provide science-based recommendations that help Americans live healthier lives.
In the meantime, it’s worth remembering that these guidelines are just that—guidance. They’re meant to inform choices and policy, but how they’re used depends on whether individuals, communities, and institutions put them into practice.
