Americans back nutrition advice but question the federal role in providing it

By HPN Staff

A recent poll by America’s New Majority Project found that, despite 68% of people supporting new dietary guidelines that shift back to the food pyramid, only 8.5% trust the government’s nutrition advice. Support of the new guidelines grows to 71%, the study found, when those polled learn why the new guidance is better than the previous period. Meanwhile, only 17% reported following the updated food pyramid story, indicating that fewer than 1 in 5 people are very aware of the changes.

The disparity reveals that many Americans view basic health guidance as self-evident information rather than something requiring guidance from federal authorities.

Among the findings in the report:

• 39% say they trust the government as a source of reliable nutrition advice, 24% distrust and 36% are neutral.
• Republicans have 58% trust in government guidelines. Democrats reported about half of that, with 28% trust.
• Trust is lukewarm — only 8.5% "completely trust" government nutrition advice. The largest group (36.4%) is neutral.

Why it Matters

The poll results come as states are playing an increasingly prominent role in healthcare policy and administration. The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization returned authority over abortion policy to the states, expanding the role of state legislatures in regulating abortion. More recently, the One Big Beautiful Bill increased the responsibilities of states in implementing and coordinating aspects of Medicare and Medicaid programs, even as formal authority over those programs remains at the federal level.

In that context, polling that shows low public confidence in federal healthcare guidance is relevant to state policymakers. The poll indicates that support for certain health recommendations may rest less on institutional endorsement and more on personal judgment. It raises questions about the extent to which federal agencies influence individual decision-making in areas widely perceived as common sense. As federal credibility declines, the American people could look closer to home for health guidance. 

The COVID-19 pandemic put federal health agencies under a microscope, revealing flaws in government healthcare authorities. What had previously been hidden became subject to public scrutiny, as pandemic guidance frequently shifted. 

Johns Hopkins University published research on how this impacted public trust in May 2024, reporting that confidence in the U.S. healthcare system fell from 75% in 2020 to 40% by 2024. This decline reflects growing skepticism toward federal health guidance. The America’s New Majority poll only further shows that the American people trust themselves with their healthcare decisions.

The bigger picture  

When it comes to how the food pyramid will have a personal impact, voters are split. Almost half (49%) say it will have some impact. Black Americans (28%) and Hispanics (25%) indicate it will have a large impact on their eating habits, about 10% more than white Americans (16%).

The generation that reports the greatest impact is Gen Z at 60%.

The poll says 41% of parents support the guidelines' adoption in school cafeterias.