The Trump administration has released updated dietary guidelines for Americans on Wednesday that emphasize eating whole and minimally processed foods, scaling back refined carbohydrates, and “declaring war” on added sugars.

The recommendations encourage “prioritizing high-quality protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains” while steering clear of highly processed foods. Robert F Kennedy Jr, the health and human services (HHS) secretary, and Brooke Rollins, the agriculture secretary, are presenting the new guidance at a White House briefing.

While the updated guidelines largely reinforce long-standing nutrition advice, they also reflect elements of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again (Maha)” agenda. The new guidance urges Americans to focus on protein and whole grains and to reduce their intake of ultra-processed foods and added sugar.

“Today, our government declares war on added sugar,” Kennedy said. “Highly processed foods loaded with additives, added sugar and excess salt damage health and should be avoided. As secretary of health and human services, my message is clear: eat real food.”

Unlike the 2020 dietary guidelines, which spanned nearly 150 pages and offered detailed instructions for Americans at every life stage, the latest recommendations are significantly shorter. The streamlined format matches Kennedy’s pledge that the core guidance would be limited to just a few pages. Research and justification is provided separately in supplemental pages.

The update also introduces a new visual framework. Guidelines include images of an inverted pyramid that places meats and vegetables at the widest point on top, reversing the classic depiction of the American food pyramid.

Administration officials say following the guidance “can help prevent the onset or slow the rate of progression of chronic disease”, a central theme of the Maha movement.

Beyond protein and processed food guidance, the recommendations address fat consumption. When adding fats to meals, Americans are advised to “prioritize oils with essential fatty acids, such as olive oil. Other options can include butter or beef tallow,” aligning with Kennedy’s own views against seed oils.