U.S. Dietary Guidelines Should Emphasize Beans and Lentils as Protein, Proposal Says

New Recommendations for a Healthier Diet

Eat more beans, peas and lentils as protein sources and decrease consumption of processed and red meat — those changes are among the recommendations detailed in a new report suggesting potential updates to U.S. dietary guidelines.

Why the Change?

The guidelines are changed on a five-year schedule, and the new set is expected to go into effect next year. The report, released Tuesday, comes from an advisory committee to the Agriculture Department, made up of 20 professors in the public health and medical sectors.

Emphasizing Plant-Based Proteins

The committee proposed that the updated guidelines, which would remain in effect into 2030, should emphasize plant-based proteins and encourage people to eat more whole grains and decrease their intake of sugary drinks, sodium and processed foods.

“There’s strong evidence to suggest that a dietary pattern that is high in beans, peas and lentils is associated with lower chronic disease risk,” said the advisory committee’s vice chair, Angela Odoms-Young, a professor of maternal and child nutrition at Cornell University.

Removing Beans and Lentils from the Vegetable Group

Under the current dietary guidelines, beans, peas and lentils are categorized as both vegetables and protein foods. But the new report proposes removing them from the vegetable group and putting them at the top of the list of protein foods to encourage people to eat more plant-based protein.

The Science Behind the Recommendations

The suggestions are based on a review of published studies on long-term links between diet and the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Past research has established a link between diets high in processed red meat (products like bacon and hot dogs) and a greater risk of negative health outcomes, including cancer and dementia. Although questions linger about the health effects of unprocessed red meat, like home-cooked steaks or lamb chops, years of research and diet rankings consistently find a regimen commonly known as the Mediterranean diet to be the healthiest.

Replacing Red and Processed Meats with Plant-Based Protein

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Replacing some red and processed meats with plant-based protein sources could help address that, Odoms-Young said.

She suggested that people try “meatless Mondays,” reducing the portion sizes of meat in meals or incorporating more beans, peas or lentils into meals they are already planning.

Additional Recommendations

The report also recommends that people cut down on sugary drinks and sodium and increase their whole grain intake to make up 50% of all grains eaten. Consuming high amounts of sugar and salt, coupled with low amounts of whole grains, negatively affects health outcomes, the report said.

Why Whole Grains Matter

Whole grains, meanwhile, are known to help lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and other conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Equity and Accessibility

Odoms-Young and Anderson said that in crafting the proposed changes, committee members considered how to make them equitable, practical and accessible across various groups, factoring in differences in socioeconomic status and access to grocery stores, for example.

Conclusion

The proposal is just a preliminary step, since “most of the guidelines people don’t meet right now,” Odoms-Young said. More broadly than the report, she said, U.S. leaders should consider how to implement policies and programs that help people meet the country’s dietary guidelines.

FAQs

Q: What are the proposed changes to the U.S. dietary guidelines?
A: The report suggests emphasizing plant-based proteins, increasing whole grain intake, and decreasing consumption of processed and red meat.

Q: Why are beans, peas, and lentils being recommended as protein sources?
A: There is strong evidence that a dietary pattern high in beans, peas, and lentils is associated with lower chronic disease risk.

Q: What are the potential health benefits of following the proposed guidelines?
A: The guidelines could help reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Q: How can people incorporate more plant-based protein into their diet?
A: People can try “meatless Mondays,” reducing the portion sizes of meat in meals, or incorporating more beans, peas, or lentils into meals they are already planning.