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Dairy Fat Returns: New Guidelines Favor Full-Fat Options
7 Sep
Summary
- New US dietary guidelines now recommend full-fat dairy.
- Full-fat dairy showed no adverse effects on heart health markers.
- American Heart Association still advises low-fat dairy choices.
The United States' approach to dairy consumption is undergoing a notable change with the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030. These new guidelines recommend including full-fat dairy options, such as whole milk and plain full-fat yogurt, reversing a long-standing emphasis on skim milk.
The shift is partly informed by research suggesting that dairy fat, consumed as part of whole foods, does not adversely affect critical cardiovascular risk factors like lipid profiles or blood pressure. A randomized controlled trial found no negative impact on these markers when participants consumed full-fat dairy.
Despite this federal pivot, the American Heart Association continues to advise adults and children over two years old to choose low-fat dairy products. They highlight that fat-free and 1% milk offer similar nutrients with significantly less fat and cholesterol.
While full-fat dairy may now be permissible, overall saturated fat intake, individual LDL cholesterol levels, and family history remain important considerations for heart health. The absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin D can be enhanced by dietary fat, but this does not necessarily make full-fat dairy superior to other sources.
