Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, cardiologist, public health scientist and Director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, is the author of a recent JAMA article examining the newly released 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs).
What's new in the 2025–2030 recommendations
The latest DGAs place a stronger emphasis on whole, minimally processed foods and provide updated guidance in several key areas:
- Limits on highly processed foods: For the first time, the guidelines recommend avoiding foods that are highly processed or ultra-processed, reflecting growing evidence linking these products with adverse health outcomes.
- Stronger emphasis on whole dietary patterns: The update highlights patterns rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats as consistent with better health outcomes rather than focusing on prior nutrient-based DGA targets.
- Protein recommendations: New guidance suggests that higher levels of animal and plant-based protein may benefit adults, however, most adults already meet their physiologic protein intake needs and unless higher intake is also combined with regular strength training.
Dr. Mozaffarian highlights that these changes are evidence-based and designed to improve health outcomes nationwide. He notes that the guidance underscores the importance of eating real food, reducing processed foods and integrating nutrition into everyday healthcare. At the same time, he emphasizes that implementation will be key—from schools and federal programs to clinical care—so Americans can translate these recommendations into meaningful improvements in diet and health.
Advancing Food Is Medicine through research and care
As Director of the Food Is Medicine Institute, Dr. Mozaffarian leads research and policy efforts exploring how nutrition-based interventions, such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions, can be integrated into healthcare to improve outcomes and advance health equity.
