​​Hi Reader,

You may have seen in the news that the US gov released the newest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – if that sounds like a snooze fest, I don’t blame you. Basically all government documents are.

I do want to give you a few cliff notes on it so you can quickly understand the bigger picture and what this means for all of us.

1. There is a strong recommendation to eat whole foods – great! Love that for us.
   • Problem: people have never followed dietary guidelines and that’s unlikely to change now. Not because we don’t want to – but because the system makes it hard.
2. There is a new emphasis on meat, full fat dairy, and animal fats (like butter and beef tallow).
   • Problem: we have a huge body of science that recommends limiting saturated fat (the kind found in these foods) to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. These foods should be eaten in moderation, not as primary daily choices.

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There are some more things I could nitpick, but the piece we really need to talk about is this: The real issue isn’t the guidelines.

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We’ve had versions of the Dietary Guidelines for decades telling us to:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Get more fiber
• Cut back on added sugar

And yet:

• Most adults and kids still don’t get enough fiber
• Ultra-processed foods make up the majority of calories
• Diet-related diseases continue to rise

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That tells us something important:

👉 The problem isn’t that the government didn’t properly educate us.

👉 The problem is that healthy eating isn’t the easy default.

For most families, food choices are shaped by:

• What’s affordable
• What’s available
• What fits into a busy day
• What kids will actually eat
• What doesn’t require hours of prep

Arguing over the details of the guidelines can start to feel like a distraction from the much bigger picture.

If we actually wanted to improve health…

The biggest levers for change wouldn’t be tweaking fat language, debating ideal protein grams, or adding whatever recommendations suit the current administration’s agenda.

They would be:

• Making whole foods more affordable
• Reducing the dominance of ultra-processed foods in stores, schools, and marketing
• Supporting families with time, access, and realistic options
• Creating food environments where healthier choices are the easier choices

My bottom line

The Dietary Guidelines matter most for policy, not for judging how well you’re feeding your family.

Real change doesn’t come from rewriting recommendations — it comes from making nourishing food easier, cheaper, and more accessible for everyone.

If feeding your kids already feels hard, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re navigating a system that wasn’t built to support families — and that’s not on you!

Helping Sick Kids From Mama Knows
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​ON THE BLOG

Food for Sick Kids: What to do when they won't eat

Have the winter colds and flus hit your house yet? This time of year I find that lots of kids are in one of two phases: sick, or recovering from being sick. Check out how to feed your sick kid to help them recover.

ON THE PODCAST

What to Feed a Sick Kid

If you’d rather listen, this podcast episode is for you! Listen for advice on how and what to feed your sick child.

IN THE RECIPE BOOK

Smoothies for the Win

When your kiddo (or you!) is sick, a smoothie is a great way to get some nutrients in even when appetites are missing.

Ben's Chicken Bone Broth Recipe

My husband has been making this bone broth for years, and it’s delicious! Bone broth is a great option to pack a nutritional punch in something mild and easy to enjoy even when not feeling well. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Wishing you and your family good health,

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