- Texas has released its first state-specific nutritional guidelines, offering recommendations on fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains, and beverages.
- The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee published the guidelines as part of its inaugural report, focusing on practical steps for Texans to improve their health through nutrition.
- The guidelines are intended to be implemented in Texas public schools from kindergarten through college, aiming to improve food and nutrition literacy and address chronic health issues.
Texas has released its first state-specific nutritional guidelines, offering Texans new recommendations on everything from fruits and vegetables to protein, whole grains, and what they drink.
The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee (TNAC) published the guidelines as part of its inaugural report. The committee was created last year to review scientific findings on nutrition and ultra-processed foods and recommend ways Texans can improve their health through what they eat.
“These new nutritional guidelines translate the science into practical steps Texans can use to support their health and well-being,” said TNAC Chair Jaclyn Albin, MD. “At the same time, we recognize that healthy eating has to work in the real world. It isn’t about perfection. Starting with one or two realistic changes and building from there can make healthy eating more achievable and sustainable for Texans and their families.”
What Texas’ new nutrition guidelines recommend
These are the guidelines verbatim from the Texas Health and Human Services website:
Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit at every meal for better digestion and health. Mix in a variety of colors of produce.
Eat three or more servings of healthy proteins each day to keep your muscles, brain, bones, and skin strong. These can be a mixture of beans, seafood, meats, eggs, and nuts.
Include healthy fats every day
Eat food for healthy bones and teeth every day. Nutrients like protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, and magnesium can come from dairy and non-dairyd nuts)
When you choose grains, choose whole grains. They are minimally processed and have fewer added ingredients like preservatives.
Drink water when you are thirsty. Reduce or avoid sugar-sweetened beverages and alcohol. Reduce or avoid sweeteners and artificial creamers in coffee or tea.
What a Baylor College of Medicine dietitian says about the guidelines
KHOU 11 News asked Baylor College of Medicine for its perspective on the new recommendations. Registered dietitian Lisa Froechtenigt said she generally agrees with the guidelines and described their overall message as positive and practical.
“Overall, I think the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee’s first nutrition guide for Texans sends a positive and practical public health message. The recommendations emphasize eating more fruits and vegetables, choosing whole grains, incorporating healthy proteins and fats, and drinking water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, which are all evidence-based strategies for supporting long-term health,” Froechtenigt said.
She said one strength of the recommendations is that they focus on achievable habits and can be adapted to different cultural preferences, lifestyles and budgets.
Froechtenigt also pointed to barriers some Texans could face when trying to follow the recommendations, including the cost and availability of fresh produce and access to transportation. She said frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as fresh options. Canned fruits and vegetables can also be healthy choices when packed in water, with no added sugars and lower sodium, she said.
One area where Froechtenigt said the guide could go further is explaining how people can put the recommendations into practice.
“The recommendations do a good job of outlining what people should aim for, but many individuals may need help knowing where to start. For example, rather than focusing solely on what to eliminate from the diet, it can be helpful to encourage people to look at what they can add. Small changes such as adding a serving of fruit to breakfast, including a vegetable with lunch, incorporating beans into meals, or choosing nuts as a snack can make a meaningful difference over time,” Froechtenigt said.
She said practical examples, meal ideas and step-by-step strategies could help people account for differences in schedules, budgets, cultural food preferences and health needs.
“I believe the guide provides a strong, well-rounded foundation for improving nutrition literacy across Texas. Pairing these recommendations with more practical tools and examples could make them even more effective and accessible for Texans trying to make healthier choices,” Froechtenigt said.
How the guidelines could affect Texas schools
The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee was created by SB 25 during the 2025 Texas Legislature, with members appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
In addition to establishing the committee, the legislation expands physical education in elementary and middle school, enhances nutrition education at all levels and requires food manufacturers to label foods containing certain ingredients.
The new guidelines are intended to serve as the basis for an expanded curriculum in Texas public schools from kindergarten through college and for professional health education.
The committee’s report highlights lifelong nutrition education as a way to give people greater confidence and practical ability to make and support healthy food choices.
“The U.S. healthcare system spends an astonishing $4.5 trillion annually with a staggering 90% of those monies directed toward chronic and mental health conditions,” said SB 25 author Sen. Lois Kolkhorst. “These new guidelines from TNAC are key to improving food and nutrition literacy in Texas and addressing the root causes of chronic health issues. What we teach about nutrition in our classrooms – from kindergarten through college, including the education of our healthcare professionals – will move the healthcare needle. When people understand what strengthens their health, they are empowered to make better choices for themselves and their families.”
Rep. Lacey Hull, who sponsored SB 25, also pointed to the guidelines’ potential role in nutrition education.
“I was proud to sponsor SB 25 that established the Texas Nutrition Advisory Council and am grateful for all of the work of the committee members in updating nutrition guidelines for Texans,” Hull said. “With the passage of SB 25, Texas is leading the movement to Make America Healthy Again. This inaugural report rightfully focuses on eating real food and brings Texas closer to the goal of updating nutrition curricula to benefit Texans at all educational levels.”
Texas nutrition guidelines will be updated annually
The inaugural report isn’t intended to be the committee’s final word on nutrition.
The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee will continue reviewing new research and update its recommendations annually as new data and other information become available.
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