What we eat and drink shapes our health from infancy to older adulthood. Decades of research shows that a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, supports long-term well-being and lowers the risk of chronic disease. And since 1980, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have offered science-backed advice to help people make healthier choices.
Yet the standard American diet, high in sugar, salt, fat, and ultra-processed foods, fuels obesity and related diseases. Now, the 2025 Guidelines ask the big question: why is American food so unhealthy?
Click through the following gallery to discover how the foods Americans choose every day shape health, and explore the surprising truths about the American diet.