What I Would Change About the 2026 Dietary Guidelines
The newly proposed dietary guidelines are moving in a better direction in many ways. They encourage more real food, less processed food, less sugar, and fewer damaged fats — a meaningful improvement. But from my perspective, there are still important changes I would make, especially if we want these guidelines to truly support mineral balance, healthy pH, and strong bones over a lifetime.
A good start, but not enough alkaline-forming foods
One of the biggest problems is that the suggested intake of vegetables and fruits is still too low. A few servings a day may sound reasonable on paper, but it is often not enough to help the body maintain a healthy alkaline balance — especially when protein intake is also being encouraged.
Your body must keep blood chemistry within a very narrow range, and to do that it uses buffering minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. If your daily diet does not provide enough alkalizing plant foods, the body has to borrow from its own reserves — over time, that can mean drawing on the mineral stores in bone. That is why I would encourage far more vegetables than the guidelines currently suggest.
Why pH balance deserves a bigger role
At Alkaline for Life, we have long emphasized the importance of acid-alkaline balance in protecting overall health. It is about giving the body enough alkaline-forming foods to offset the effects of stress, protein metabolism, and processed foods. If we want better long-term outcomes, we should teach people to build meals around vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, and adequate clean protein. Learn the basics in our complete guide to the alkaline diet.
The protein conversation needs more context
I do support adequate protein — many women need more quality protein as they age. But protein should never be discussed in isolation. Protein foods are generally more acid-forming, so the more protein a person eats, the more important it becomes to include enough alkaline-forming plant foods alongside it. See how much protein you really need.
If a 130-pound woman increases protein but does not also increase her vegetables, fruits, and mineral-rich foods, she may unknowingly increase the body's need for buffering minerals — and if those minerals are not coming in through the diet, the body has to find them somewhere else. That somewhere else can be the bones.
What I would change in the guidelines
1. Recommend more vegetables
I would raise the vegetable recommendation significantly — three servings is simply not enough for most people. I would rather see a much stronger emphasis on abundant vegetables throughout the day, especially leafy greens and other mineral-rich choices. Dr. Brown's Acid-Alkaline Food Guide makes this easy.
2. Pair protein with alkaline foods
Whenever protein recommendations are made, there should also be guidance to balance that protein with generous servings of vegetables and other alkaline-forming foods. Protein is important — but balance is everything.
3. Teach people to track their pH
One simple tool I would love to see in mainstream guidance is testing first morning urine pH. It offers a practical glimpse into how well the body is managing its mineral reserves and buffering acid load.
4. Emphasize mineral support
Even with a healthy diet, many people benefit from added mineral support — modern stress, dietary habits, and depleted soils all make it harder to maintain optimal mineral balance. Alkalizing Minerals+ is a simple option to better support pH balance and bone health.
The bottom line
The new guidelines are heading in a better direction, and that is worth celebrating. But if I could improve them, I would place much more emphasis on the foods that truly protect mineral reserves: vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and balanced meals that support healthy pH. Real health is not just about avoiding junk food — it is about building a chemistry that supports the body every day. And when that chemistry is supported, the bones benefit too.
