The Football Playoffs are iconic—not just for the games, commercials, and halftime shows, but also for the indulgent spread of wings, pizza, nachos, chips, and beer. It’s a lot of fun, but the aftermath? That sluggish, bloated feeling, along with a few extra pounds, often leaves us craving a reset.
If you’re ready to get back on track in 2026, you’re in luck. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) recently unveiled the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, and their message is refreshingly simple: Eat real food.
Eat Real Food 2025-2030 Source: realfood.gov
For the first time in decades, the guidelines reintroduce a pyramid-style visual, emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense foods while cutting back on highly processed items, added sugars, and refined carbs. Here are the key takeaways:
The updated pyramid places a stronger focus on protein and healthy fats, while advising against ultra-processed foods and sweeteners. In fact, the guidelines state: “No amount of added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners is recommended” for a truly healthy diet. The emphasis is clear: real food first.
Resetting your diet doesn’t mean you have to cook every meal at home or avoid dining out. Oakwood Bar & Grill in Dearborn offers exactly the kind of approachable, satisfying “real food” that aligns beautifully with the new guidelines.
Our menu is packed with fresh, high-quality proteins, vibrant produce, and thoughtful preparations that steer clear of the heavy processing trap so common in bar-and-grill fare. Here’s how our meals stack up against the 2025–2030 recommendations:
The new guidelines emphasize quality protein as a foundation for every meal, and Oakwood delivers with options like:
These proteins are exactly what the updated pyramid highlights—far superior to processed deli meats or deep-fried alternatives.
The guidelines recommend filling at least half your plate with produce, and Oakwood makes it easy with their vibrant, flavorful salads:
These aren’t your average side salads—they’re hearty, delicious, and packed with the fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants your body craves.
Oakwood’s menu naturally incorporates healthy fats like avocado, olive oil-based dressings, nuts, and seeds. Many entrées come with vegetable-forward sides, and you can always customize your plate—swap fries for a side salad or extra veggies to keep things aligned with your goals.
Of course, like any bar & grill, Oakwood offers indulgent classics like wings, loaded burgers, and shareable appetizers. The beauty of the new guidelines is flexibility: enjoy these occasionally, but let the foundation of your plate be protein + produce + healthy fats. Oakwood makes it easy to strike that balance.
After weeks of holiday parties and Super Bowl snacking, many of us are feeling the effects of too much ultra-processed food and added sugar. The new HHS guidelines are a timely reminder to return to the basics: food that nourishes, sustains energy, supports muscle and brain health, and—most importantly—tastes great.
Oakwood Bar & Grill gets it. They serve food made from recognizable, quality ingredients in a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping by for a post-game recovery lunch, a weeknight dinner, or a weekend treat, you’ll find plenty of options that satisfy without derailing your goals.
Head to Oakwood Bar & Grill and build your plate around real food that follows the latest science. Try the grilled salmon over a big salad, savor the Ahi tuna, or load up on a protein-forward entrée with extra vegetables. Your body—and your taste buds—will thank you.
Oakwood Bar & Grill – Serving great real food, good times, and smarter choices in the heart of the community.