Dietary Health

USDA develops and promotes dietary guidance and nutritional recommendations aimed at improving the health and well-being of Americans.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) provide common-sense, science-driven nutrition guidance to promote health, prevent chronic disease, and support healthy eating patterns across the lifespan. Developed jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods as the foundation of good health. The Guidelines inform dozens of federal nutrition programs.

What’s New

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines emphasize simple, flexible guidance rooted in modern nutrition science. Among the key updates:

• A focus on diets built on whole, nutrient-dense foods — protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats
• Guidance to limit highly processed foods, added sugars, and artificial additives
• Prioritize protein at every meal
• Limit alcohol consumption for better overall health
• Tailored recommendations to ensure nutrition adequacy across every stage of life
   

USDA Food Plans

USDA provides nutritious food plans to accommodate thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost, and liberal budgets.

Healthy Eating Index

The Healthy Eating Index is a summary measure of overall diet quality. It provides a picture of the types and quantities of food people eat and the degree to which diets align with the recommendations set forth in the Dietary Guidelines.

Dietary Supplements

USDA provides information on dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and botanicals.

Diet and Human Performance Laboratory

USDA analyzes and makes recommendations on how the dietary intake of energy, fiber, and fat promotes life-long maintenance of health and optimizes quality of life.

Diet and Health Brief

USDA examines all aspects of American food choices such as what we eat, where we eat it, why we eat it, what effect these choices have for America's farmers, and what might be the health consequences of those choices.

Consumption Brief

USDA conducts research to monitor and evaluate food consumption in America from various perspectives. Research analysts examine what we eat, how much we pay for our food, and how our food consumption choices relate to diet quality and nutrition.

Team Nutrition

To help meet the goal of healthier children, USDA launched Team Nutrition to help make implementation of healthy school meals in schools easier and more successful.

National Nutrient Database

USDA's online National Nutrient Database is a user friendly, searchable version of the authoritative nutrient database available for download free of charge.