The New Food Pyramid: Real Food or Real Confusion?

When the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2025-2030) were released, the message was clear: eat real food. At first glance, that’s a message most people can get behind. The pyramid highlights whole food, encourages fruits and vegetables, and warns against added sugars and highly processed foods, all important steps in the right direction. But clarity in nutrition guidance matters, and the details of the new pyramid raise important questions.

Looking more closely at the visual pyramid and the messaging that accompanies it, the picture becomes more complicated. Some recommendations align with decades of nutrition science, while others contradict the evidence or risk confusing the public. Perhaps the most troubling shift is the Guidelines’ decision to distance themselves from health equity and the social determinants of health, factors that shape what Americans can realistically eat in the first place.

The La Crosse Area Family YMCA believes that access to nutritious food is a fundamental right for everyone in the community. Its comprehensive food programs are designed to ensure that children and families receive the nourishment they need to thrive, particularly during critical times such as summer and after school.

Summer Food Program