New dietary guidelines urge Americans to avoid processed foods and added sugar01/08/2026(Associated Press/WBCL) - New guidelines for healthy eating say Americans should eat more whole foods and protein, fewer highly processed foods and less added sugar. Federal health officials released the 2025-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans on Wednesday. The guidelines are required by law to be updated every five years. They offer advice for healthy eating and provide the foundation for federal nutrition programs and policies. The guidance offers new advice to avoid prepared or packaged highly processed foods, to limit saturated fats and added sugars and to eat more protein. Research shows most Americans don't follow the dietary guidance. Click here to visit the government's new food guideline website.