USDA's Recommended Dietary Changes to Replace Red and Processed Meats.

The USDA, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is considering significant changes to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030. A key recommendation from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) focuses on reducing red and processed meat consumption and increasing intake of plant-based protein sources.

Key Recommendations:

• Reduce Red and Processed Meats: The DGAC recommends reducing intake of red and processed meats due to compelling evidence linking them to detrimental health consequences. This is a stronger statement against red meat consumption than in previous dietary guidelines.
• Increase Plant-Based Protein: The committee strongly advises increasing consumption of plant-based protein sources like beans, peas, and lentils. To emphasize this, they propose moving the "Beans, Peas, and Lentils" subgroup from the Vegetables Food Group to the Protein Foods Group and listing them first within that group, followed by nuts, seeds, soy products, seafood, and then meats, poultry, and eggs.
• Other Recommendations: The proposed changes also include:

Supporting Evidence and Considerations:

The DGAC's recommendations are based on a comprehensive analysis of scientific evidence. However, the report acknowledges limitations in the evidence base regarding ultra-processed foods and alcohol, stating that further research is needed before specific recommendations can be made in these areas. The committee also considered health equity, aiming to create guidelines accessible and practical for diverse populations, regardless of socioeconomic status or access to healthy food options.