AMHS statement on the release of the 2025-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sydney, Australia — 7 January 2026

The Australasian Metabolic Health Society (AMHS) welcomes the release today of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

While these guidelines apply to the United States, their influence is global. International dietary policy, research priorities, food systems, and clinical practice are often shaped by changes to U.S. guidance. As such, AMHS considers this release highly relevant to Australia — particularly as the Australian Dietary Guidelines are currently under formal review.

AMHS welcomes notable changes in the U.S. update, including:

  • A renewed emphasis on whole, minimally processed foods from both animal and plant sources
  • Greater recognition of protein as foundational to health across the lifespan
  • Reduced emphasis on refined grains and added sugars
  • Formal acknowledgement of therapeutic low-carbohydrate dietary approaches as a recognised option for individuals living with chronic disease

These shifts reflect a growing and robust evidence base demonstrating that dietary patterns focused on real food, adequate protein, and carbohydrate reduction can significantly improve — and, in many cases, reverse — conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular risk factors. Emerging evidence also suggests potential benefits for certain mental health conditions.

Dietary guidelines do far more than inform individual food choices. They shape institutional food provision, healthcare delivery, public health messaging, education, and government-funded nutrition programs, directly impacting population health.

AMHS now expects — and strongly advocates for evidence-informed changes to be reflected in the forthcoming Australian Dietary Guidelines. In particular, AMHS supports:

  • Formal recognition and support for therapeutic low-carbohydrate dietary approaches as effective options for individuals living with chronic diseases
  • Greater flexibility to tailor macronutrient intake to individual metabolic needs, to support disease prevention, control, and remission.
  • Clear and full acknowledgement of low-carbohydrate and therapeutic nutrition approaches within clinical care
  • Updated guidance to align with nutrition science and clinical outcomes

As a multidisciplinary society of clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals, AMHS stands ready to support policymakers, regulators, and healthcare systems in translating evidence into practical, effective dietary guidance that meaningfully addresses Australia’s escalating burden of chronic disease.

Australia’s dietary guidance must evolve in line with the science — and with the lived reality of patients and clinicians.

AMHS will continue to engage constructively throughout the Australian Dietary Guidelines review process to ensure metabolic health is appropriately prioritised.

Media contact 

  • Claire McDonnell AMHS Executive Director
  • Claire@AMHS.org.au
  • The Australasian Metabolic Health Society
  • www.AMHS.org.au