The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have unveiled the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which focus on promoting whole foods. In line with this, Andy Gipson, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, is urging Mississippians to engage with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce’s Make Mississippi Healthy Again (MMSHA) initiative.
“The message of these new Dietary Guidelines is simple: eat real food, and that’s exactly what we’ve been championing through Make Mississippi Healthy Again,” said Commissioner Gipson. He emphasized the importance of local farmers in enhancing health by providing fresh produce. Gipson encouraged residents to visit the MMSHA website to adopt healthier lifestyles.
The HHS highlights a national health crisis, with nearly 90% of healthcare spending addressing chronic diseases often linked to diet and lifestyle. Over 70% of American adults are overweight or obese, and about one-third of adolescents have prediabetes.
“These Guidelines return us to the basics,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., emphasizing whole foods over processed ones. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins noted that this edition resets federal nutrition policy under President Trump’s leadership, focusing on supporting American farmers.
The guidelines recommend prioritizing protein at meals, consuming full-fat dairy without added sugars, eating whole vegetables and fruits throughout the day, incorporating healthy fats from various sources like meats and nuts, focusing on whole grains while reducing refined carbohydrates, limiting processed foods and added sugars, drinking water or unsweetened beverages for hydration, and moderating alcohol intake.
The guidelines also reestablish food as a health foundation rather than pharmaceuticals. More information can be found at https://realfood.gov/.
Similarly, MMSHA aims to strengthen Mississippi’s food systems by improving access to fresh local foods across communities. The initiative promotes supporting local agriculture as vital for public health improvement and economic growth in rural areas. For more details on MMSHA resources and initiatives, visit www.makemshealthyagain.com.
