A Paradigm Shift in Nutrition
A comprehensive scientific report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines has sparked widespread discussion not only in the United States but also in Türkiye. Questioning nearly half a century of conventional dietary approaches, the new guidelines position nutrition as a central element not only in the prevention of chronic diseases but also in their direct management and improvement.
Assoc. Prof. Binnur Okan Bakır, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Yeditepe University, evaluated this fundamental shift.
“This Report Places Nutrition at the Center of Health More Clearly Than Ever Before”
Recalling that approximately 70 percent of adults in the United States are overweight, more than 40 percent are living with obesity, and over half of the adult population has diabetes or prediabetes, Assoc. Prof. Bakır stated:“These figures clearly show why a change in nutrition policy has become inevitable. The new guidelines move away from an approach that explains chronic diseases solely through genetics or aging and define nutrition as a primary determinant of health.” Drawing attention to the situation in Türkiye, Bakır added: “According to World Health Organization European Region data, Türkiye ranks among the countries with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity. This can no longer be addressed as a matter of individual choice alone. It must be treated as a serious public health issue.”.
“Carbohydrate-Centered Thinking Is Being Questioned”
Bakır emphasized that one of the most striking aspects of the new guidelines is their approach to macronutrients: “For many years, low-fat and high-carbohydrate dietary models were recommended. However, at this point, we see that this approach has been insufficient in preventing metabolic diseases.” Highlighting the importance of protein intake, Assoc. Prof. Binnur Okan Bakır said: “Inadequate protein intake is associated with loss of muscle mass, insulin resistance, and metabolic slowdown. In children, it may negatively affect growth and cognitive development. For this reason, the guidelines establish adequate protein intake, tailored to age, physiological status, and health conditions, as a core principle.”.”
“The Issue Is Not Avoiding Fat, but the Quality of Fat”
Bakır noted that the perspective on dietary fat has also undergone a fundamental change: “The issue is no longer the total amount of fat consumed, but rather its source, how it is processed, and how it is incorporated into the diet. Fats derived from healthy sources and minimally processed foods do not have the same effects on the body as refined and heavily processed fats.” Describing this shift as “the end of the era of avoiding fat altogether,” Bakır added: “The new era is a more scientific one, focused on the quality of fat.”.
“For the First Time, There Is Such a Clear Warning on Ultra-Processed Foods”
Pointing out that approximately 60 percent of total energy intake in the United States comes from ultra-processed foods, Bakır stated that these products show strong associations with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.“For the first time at the federal level, there is such a clear message stating that ultra-processed, packaged, and ready-to-eat foods should be limited. This represents a critical threshold in nutrition policy,” said Assoc. Prof. Binnur Okan Bakır, underlining the call to return to real food.
“Child Nutrition Determines the Health of the Future”
Bakır described the strong emphasis on child nutrition in the new guidelines as particularly valuable: “Added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and intensive food additives pose serious risks to children’s metabolic balance and gut health. For this reason, school meals and child nutrition programs are of strategic importance. Childhood obesity has also been recognized by the World Health Organization as an urgent public health priority.” Stressing that sugary drinks and fruit juices should not be considered healthy alternatives, Bakır said: “This clear stance is also highly instructive for families.”
“The Gut Microbiome Is the Key Concept of the New Era”
Bakır described the inclusion of the gut microbiome in relation to immune function, metabolic health, and brain function as a scientific turning point: “Fiber-rich vegetables, fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir, and traditional, minimally processed foods now form the foundation of healthy nutrition recommendations.”.
“The Message to Society Is Very Clear”
Assoc. Prof. Binnur Okan Bakır summarized the core message of the guidelines as follows: “Base your diet on real food. Choose minimally processed foods that are as close to their natural state as possible instead of ultra-processed products. Ensure adequate protein intake and focus on the quality of fats. This approach is not only the most effective tool for weight management, but also for long-term health.”