| Publishing agencies | USDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
| Update frequency | Every five years |
| Target population | Americans aged 2 and older, including pregnant and breastfeeding individuals |
| Added sugars limit | Less than 10% of daily calories (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025) |
| Saturated fat limit | Less than 10% of daily calories (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025) |
| Sodium limit (general adults) | Less than 2,300 mg per day (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025) |
What Are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) is a federal document published jointly every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It establishes science-based nutritional recommendations for Americans aged two and older, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Guidelines don't just guide individual eating decisions — they shape national food programs including school meals, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and federal nutrition education initiatives. Understanding what they say gives you meaningful context for much of the nutrition information you encounter every day, including how to read a nutrition label.
| Publishing agencies | USDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
| Update frequency | Every five years |
| Target population | Americans aged 2 and older, including pregnant and breastfeeding individuals |
| Added sugars limit | Less than 10% of daily calories (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025) |
| Saturated fat limit | Less than 10% of daily calories (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025) |
| Sodium limit (general adults) | Less than 2,300 mg per day (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025) |
Core Recommendations at a Glance
Each edition of the DGA is grounded in a review of current nutrition science. While specific details evolve, several foundational principles have remained consistent across recent editions:
- Follow a healthy dietary pattern at every life stage. No single food or nutrient defines a healthy diet — the overall pattern matters most.
- Prioritize nutrient-dense foods. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins (including legumes, nuts, seafood, and poultry), and low-fat dairy products are emphasized.
- Limit added sugars, saturated fat, sodium, and alcoholic beverages. Current guidance suggests keeping added sugars below 10% of daily calories and saturated fat below 10% as well. Understanding the difference between natural and added sugars helps clarify why this limit applies specifically to added sugars.
- Stay within calorie needs. The DGA emphasizes balancing food intake with physical activity, tailored to age, sex, and activity level.
These recommendations align closely with eating patterns such as those covered in a comparison of Mediterranean, DASH, and plant-based diets.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
A federal policy document updated every five years by USDA and HHS that provides science-based nutritional recommendations for Americans aged two and older. It informs federal nutrition programs and public health education.
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
An independent panel of nutrition and public health scientists convened to review current evidence and provide recommendations that inform each new edition of the Dietary Guidelines.
Nutrient-dense foods
Foods that provide a high amount of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients relative to their calorie content. Examples include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins.
Added sugars
Sugars and syrups added to foods during processing or preparation, distinct from naturally occurring sugars found in whole fruits or milk. The DGA recommends limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories.
Saturated fat
A type of dietary fat found primarily in animal products and some tropical oils. The DGA recommends limiting saturated fat intake to less than 10% of total daily calories due to its association with cardiovascular risk.
Dietary pattern
The combination and frequency of foods and beverages consumed over time. The DGA emphasizes overall dietary patterns rather than individual nutrients as the most meaningful unit of dietary guidance.
How the Guidelines Are Developed
The development process is rigorous and transparent. Every five years, HHS and USDA convene an independent Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) — a panel of nationally recognized nutrition and public health scientists. The DGAC conducts a systematic review of the latest evidence and publishes a scientific report with recommendations.
Federal agencies then use that report, along with public comments, to draft the final Guidelines document. The process is subject to public comment periods, ensuring some level of external input before publication.
It's worth noting that the DGA reflects scientific consensus at the time of publication, not emerging or preliminary findings. Nutrition science continues to evolve, and some researchers have raised questions about how industry input and methodological constraints affect specific recommendations — a debate that underscores why critical health literacy matters.
The DGA Is Policy, Not Personalized Advice
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are designed to inform population-level public health policy and general education. They are not a substitute for personalized guidance from a registered dietitian or physician. Individuals with specific health conditions, food allergies, or special dietary needs should consult a qualified healthcare professional for tailored recommendations.
For a practical starting point based on these principles, see our guide to building a balanced plate.
Key Nutrient Areas Highlighted by the Guidelines
The DGA consistently identifies several nutrients that Americans tend to either over- or under-consume:
- Underconsumed nutrients
- Dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and iron (especially among certain groups) are flagged as nutrients of public health concern. Dietary fiber, in particular, is an area where most Americans fall well short of recommendations.
- Overconsumed nutrients
- Sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars consistently appear above recommended levels in average American diets, contributing to elevated risk of chronic conditions. For broader context on diet-related conditions, explore common health conditions.
The DGA doesn't prescribe exact meal plans or specific foods. Instead, it describes proportions and patterns, which can be adapted to personal, cultural, and economic circumstances — making the framework broadly applicable rather than prescriptive.