Special Report: What the New Dietary Guidelines Say About Protein

In episode 2 of this Special Report, Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, was joined by Catherine McManus, PhD, RDN, LD, and Viet Le, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, FACC, to unpack how the 2025–2030 US Dietary Guidelines address protein intake — and what the updated recommendations mean for clinicians and patients.

The panel emphasized that the guidelines do not signal a “protein at all costs” approach. Instead, Le explained that the intent is to shift protein sources away from highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates toward higher-quality, less processed options. While Americans are not broadly protein deficient, he noted that the quality and preparation of protein foods remain key concerns, particularly given ongoing guidance to limit saturated fat intake to less than 10% of total calories.

McManus highlighted that the updated protein recommendations reflect evolving evidence. The guidelines now suggest intake levels of approximately 1.2 to 1.6 g/kg per day — higher than the long-standing 0.8 g/kg benchmark derived from nitrogen balance studies. She noted that emerging research suggests the older threshold may underestimate true protein needs for optimal health while still remaining within the acceptable macronutrient distribution range.

The experts agreed that the most significant opportunity lies in improving protein quality rather than simply increasing quantity. While intake of poultry, beef and eggs is generally adequate or excessive, Americans continue to fall short on seafood, shellfish, nuts, seeds and plant-based protein sources. Sloan emphasized the clinician’s role in counseling patients to prioritize whole-food protein sources rather than relying on supplements or ultraprocessed protein products.

The panel also discussed potential confusion caused by the visual food guide accompanying the guidelines. McManus noted that the imagery may overemphasize animal proteins and portion sizes in ways that do not fully align with the text-based recommendations. Both she and Le expressed concern that visual messaging — without context — could lead consumers to misinterpret the intent of the guidelines, underscoring the importance of clinician-led education to bridge those gaps.

Our Experts:
Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, pediatric physician assistant and registered dietitian; host of the Exam Room Nutrition podcast.
Catherine McManus, PhD, RDN, LD, assistant professor of nutrition, Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Viet Le, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, FACC, preventive cardiology physician assistant and associate professor of research, Intermountain Health.