New dietary guidelines released by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promote a return to whole, minimally processed foods — a shift nutrition experts say could improve health, but one that may be financially out of reach for many Americans.
As food prices remain high nationwide, the recommendations prioritize quality over convenience, emphasizing foods rich in healthy fats and nutrient-dense proteins. Critics argue the guidance overlooks the reality facing households already struggling with rising grocery bills.
An analysis by The Post found that a single adult following the guidelines could spend roughly $175 per week shopping at Whole Foods Market through Amazon, or about $164 at a traditional grocery store. Prices were compared using Morton Williams Supermarket on West 57th Street as a benchmark.
In the policy outline released Wednesday, HHS criticized previous federal initiatives that it said encouraged consumption of highly processed foods and reliance on pharmaceutical treatments rather than prevention.
The new approach highlights foods such as butter, nuts, seeds, olives and avocados, along with proteins like eggs, poultry, seafood and red meat. Many of those items have seen sharp price increases. Butter prices alone have jumped 58% over the past year, according to a November report. At ShopRite, an eight-ounce package of store-brand butter sells for $3.49, while Whole Foods’ 365 brand costs $4.29 per pound.
Protein staples come at an even higher cost. At Whole Foods, beef skirt steak is priced at $19.99 per pound, while 365-brand ground beef sells for $7.99. At Morton Williams, boneless, skinless chicken breast costs $7.99 per pound, compared with $5.99 for the 365-brand equivalent.
Nuts and seafood — also emphasized in the guidelines — add further strain. A 16-ounce bag of 365-brand raw almonds costs $7.99, while an eight-ounce bag of chopped walnuts is $6.49. A bag of frozen Key West pink shrimp sells for $17.99, and a six-ounce portion of farm-raised Atlantic salmon costs $7.49.
The recommendations arrive as grocery prices continue to climb overall. In November, a half-gallon of whole milk reached $5.99, representing a 50% increase compared with prices earlier in the year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for meat, poultry, fish and eggs rose 5.2% between September 2024 and September of last year, adding to concerns that healthier eating may be increasingly difficult to afford.