The authors review the rationale behind the updated protein guidelines and identify priorities for future research
Media contact: Diane Tuncer, MPH, (571) 236-4333, diane.tuncer@clarityandcause.com
Rockville, MD (July 24, 2026) – A new outlook was published today Food magazineA peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN), reviews the evidence for protein recommendations in the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and identifies areas where additional research could strengthen future dietary guidelines.
The article “Perspectives on Protein Recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030” discusses the updated recommendation of 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day in the latest Dietary Guidelines. It compares these guidelines with previous editions of the Dietary Guidelines, the Scientific Report of the 2025 Advisory Committee, and current research on protein intake and health.
The authors highlight the strengths of the updated Dietary Guidelines, including their continued focus on healthy, nutritious eating patterns and the role of protein intake per kilogram of body weight per day for weight management in overweight and obese individuals. They discuss the limitations of the evidence used to make these recommendations and note that more research is needed to understand how protein intake in this range applies to different groups in the US population.
Dr. Stephan Pasiakos, a professor at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, speaking on behalf of the co-authors, stated, “We recognize the strengths of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, particularly the emphasis on high-protein foods, and the evidence for the central management of higher protein intake was in Perspective. Is this evidence sufficient to justify a universal dietary protein recommendation for all Americans throughout life and what is appropriate for a population segment?” suitable, should not be considered optimal for everyone without sufficient evidence.
Among the topics discussed in the Perspective document are:
- How the updated protein recommendations compare to previous editions of the Dietary Guidelines and other current dietary recommendations.
- What the evidence shows about the strengths and limitations of the updated guidance.
- Where further research is needed to better understand the role of protein in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
- Why protein recommendations can vary across life stages and populations.
- How to strengthen future dietary guidelines.
The authors emphasize the importance of protein in the diet and encourage further research to better understand protein needs in the general population and strengthen the evidence base for future dietary guidance.
Continue the conversation at NUTRITION 2026
These topics will be discussed here as well Nutrition 2026ASN’s flagship annual meeting, July 25-28, 2026, in Harbor, MD, where thousands of researchers and health professionals will gather to share the latest advances in nutritional science.
Some of the featured sessions include:
- Plenum – Dietary Guidelines at the Crossroads: Science, Practice, and Innovation
- Featured Session – Protein: Fortification Requirements and Nutritional Guidance
Additional sessions on protein metabolism, diet, muscle health, healthy aging, and dietary guidelines will be featured during the meeting.
About the American Society for Nutrition and Journal of Nutrition
Founded in 1928, the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) is the leading professional organization for nutrition research scientists and clinicians worldwide. ASN brings together researchers, clinicians, and health professionals to advance the science, education, and use of nutrition. ASN supports the global nutrition community through journals, conferences, and professional development programs. ASN publishes several peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Food magazinewhich features original research and reviews that advance the understanding of nutrition and related biomedical sciences. Read more in www.nutrition.org. ###
