Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller helped develop the state’s first set of nutrition guidelines written specifically for Texans, the Texas Department of Agriculture said in a September 15 news release.
The recommendations appear in the annual report of the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee, a panel created by the Texas Legislature to review current scientific research and recommend ways to improve Texans’ health. According to the release, the guidelines represent a milestone in the state’s effort to examine how nutrition, dietary patterns, ultra-processed foods and chronic disease relate to one another.
Miller, who serves on the committee, said he brought the perspective of Texas farmers, ranchers, food producers and the state’s agricultural economy to its work. “I was proud to have a seat at the table and help develop guidelines that get nutrition back to the basics,” Miller said. “Good health starts with good food, and good food starts with agriculture. Texans don’t need complicated rules or a chemistry lesson at the grocery store.”
The guidelines advise Texans to fill half their plate with vegetables and fruit at every meal, to eat three or more servings of healthy proteins each day and to include healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, fatty fish, olive oil and avocados. They also recommend dairy products or nutrient-rich non-dairy options to support bones and teeth, whole grains and minimally processed foods, and water when thirsty while reducing sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol and artificial creamers.
The committee also examined the evolving debate over ultra-processed foods, noting that definitions continue to change and that not every food in that category carries the same health implications. It recommended evaluating overall dietary quality alongside the degree of processing. The department said the International Bottled Water Association praised the panel for becoming the first state-level body to encourage the public to choose water first.
Committee Chair Dr. Jaclyn Albin said the recommendations are intended to turn nutritional science into realistic daily choices. “These new nutritional guidelines translate the science into practical steps Texans can use to support their health and well-being,” Albin said. “At the same time, we recognize that healthy eating has to work in the real world. It isn’t about perfection.”
For Miller, the release said, the recommendations are a chance to put Texas agriculture at the center of the conversation about improving nutrition. “This is what common-sense nutrition looks like,” Miller said. “Less junk, more real food. More Texas beef, milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains on the table. And when you’re thirsty, drink water.”