The USDA's new food pyramid is upside down. Here's what changed, what didn't, and free printable handouts for your clients — no sign-up required.

It’s Heart Month and conversations continue around the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. – so how do we reconcile the new DGA with a heart-healthy eating pattern?

 Unfortunately, the face of the new DGA is the new inverted food pyramid, which prominently displays foods not normally associated with heart health – a thick marbled steak, a container of ground beef (which could be lean!), a carton of whole milk, and a stick of butter.

But the pyramid doesn’t tell the whole story. For that, you have to delve into the text of the DGA.

I want to make the case for the Dietary Guidelines—by helping people understand what they have offered, consistently and over time. Right now, you have the public’s attention. This is the moment to use it well.

Dietitian’s review of “The New Pyramid”

The U.S. federal government has released the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, marking one of the most significant updates to national nutrition guidance in decades. These Guidelines — available through realfood.gov and the official Dietary Guidelines portal — put an emphasis on whole, nutrient-dense foods and offer a clear framework for helping people make healthier choices every day.