Trump administration officials have repeatedly touted the affordability of its new dietary guidelines.
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May 10, 2026

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What does it really cost to follow a ‘MAHA’ diet? We did the math

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(Erik Carter for NBC News)

Fifteen dollars per person per day. That’s what Trump administration officials say it costs, on average, to follow the government’s new dietary guidelines. We put it to the test. 

 

NBC News analyzed a sample menu from a Department of Health and Human Services event, based on the average costs of its ingredients. We found $15 to be about accurate, but whether it’s actually affordable — or feasible — for the average American to follow the guidelines is more complicated.

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