Dietary Guidelines Myths & Misinfo

Sep 11

Dietary Guidelines Myths & Misinfo

Last week I shared the history of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and why they exist. This week, I want to clear up some myths and misinformation that keep circling around the guidelines. A lot of the pushback isn’t about the actual guidelines themselves but the myths that surround them.

Myth 1: The guidelines are “rules” that tell you what to eat

This is one of the most common misconceptions. The Dietary Guidelines are recommendations, not rules. No one is coming to your kitchen to take away your bacon or make sure you ate your vegetables. People are free to eat and drink whatever they choose. The guidelines are meant to inform policy, school meals, federal food programs, and provide a framework for nutrition professionals. They are not mandates.

Myth 2: The guidelines caused obesity

The first set of guidelines was released in 1980. Since then, obesity rates have gone up dramatically. Some people argue that the guidelines are to blame. Let’s pause here.

First, correlation does not equal causation. A lot has changed since 1980 besides the release of the guidelines. Think about the rise of cable television, home computers, video games, smartphones, streaming services, increased fast food consumption, and decreased time outdoors. All of these have affected lifestyle and food choices.

Second, most people don’t actually follow the guidelines. So blaming them for obesity rates doesn’t make sense. Obesity is complex and influenced by many factors.

For perspective: according to the CDC, adult obesity prevalence in the U.S. was about 15% in 1980. Today it is over 42%. That change cannot be explained by the guidelines alone.

Myth 3: The guidelines recommended a low-fat, high-carb diet, and that’s why things got worse

It is true that in the 1980s fat was demonized. At that time, the science wasn’t as clear as it is now. The guidelines are based on the best available science at the time, and science evolves. That is why the guidelines are updated every five years.

Today, we know that not all fats are the same. Unsaturated fats from foods like nuts, seeds, fish, and olive oil are healthful. Trans fats are harmful. Saturated fats are somewhere in the middle, depending on the source. The guidelines reflect these changes in understanding. Nutrition science is not static, and neither are the recommendations.

Myth 4: The guidelines are hundreds of pages long and impossible to read

The full report is detailed, yes, but that’s not what most people need to read. The full 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines report is over 800 pages because it includes all the background research and evidence.

For most people, the 4-page executive summary is more than enough – and really, even those 4 pages can be further distilled to 2 pages, as the first two pages are the introduction and some background information. This summary breaks the recommendations down in a way that is clear and practical. If you’re curious, you can still look at the full report, but most don’t need to. If you're looking for more information, but not the 800+ page version, consider checking out the expanded executive summary, which is “just” 164 pages. (Note: these links may become broken when the next version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is released – so you can always go to DietaryGuidelines.gov for the most recent information.)

Myth 5: No other country has dietary guidelines

Completely untrue. Many countries have their own versions of dietary guidelines. Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Brazil, and dozens more have developed dietary guidance tailored to their populations. The U.S. is not unique in this.

Other points to know

The Dietary Guidelines focus on nutrition. Physical activity has its own separate set of recommendations called the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
The guidelines are not necessarily written for individuals, though individuals can use them. They are primarily meant to inform programs, policies, and resources that support public health.

The Bottom Line

The Dietary Guidelines are not rules, mandates, or the cause of obesity. They are a set of evolving, evidence-based recommendations that reflect the best science available at the time. If anything, the problem is that most people don’t follow them.

Instead of relying on myths or what you read in a social media post, it is better to look at the actual recommendations. And if you only want the highlights, that 4-page executive summary is a good place to start.