U.S. Dietary Guidelines May Prioritize Plant-Based Proteins Over Red Meat
A newly released report from an advisory committee to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that the upcoming U.S. Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to increase their intake of beans, lentils, and other plant-based proteins while reducing their consumption of red and processed meats.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are updated every five years, and the next edition is set to take effect in 2025, guiding national nutrition policies through 2030. These proposed changes aim to promote healthier eating patterns, focusing on whole grains, plant-based proteins, and reducing the intake of sugary drinks, sodium, and ultra-processed foods.
The Shift Toward Plant-Based Proteins
Angela Odoms-Young, Vice Chair of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and a professor at Cornell University, emphasized that research strongly supports the benefits of a diet rich in beans, peas, and lentils. These foods have been linked to lower risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
Currently, beans, peas, and lentils are classified as both vegetables and protein sources in the DGA. However, the new proposal suggests removing them from the vegetable category and making them a primary protein source, encouraging people to replace red and processed meats with plant-based alternatives.
Scientific Evidence Behind the Recommendations
The report is based on a review of studies examining the connection between diet and long-term health outcomes. Research has consistently linked processed meats—such as bacon, sausage, and hot dogs—to an increased risk of cancer, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. While the health effects of unprocessed red meats like steak or lamb are still debated, studies have repeatedly ranked Mediterranean-style diets—which emphasize plant-based foods and limit red meat—as the healthiest eating pattern.
The Mediterranean diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and seafood, has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, and obesity. Since heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., experts argue that shifting to a more plant-forward diet could significantly improve public health.
Practical Ways to Reduce Meat Consumption
Odoms-Young suggests that Americans can make small, sustainable changes such as:
- Observing Meatless Mondays
- Reducing portion sizes of red meat
- Incorporating beans, lentils, and peas into familiar recipes
“This isn’t about eliminating animal protein entirely but finding ways to increase plant-based protein in everyday meals,” she explained.
Additional Dietary Recommendations: Cutting Sugar and Sodium
Beyond promoting plant-based proteins, the report advises reducing sugary drinks, sodium, and processed foods while increasing whole grain intake. The committee recommends that at least 50% of all grains consumed should be whole grains to optimize health benefits.
Cheryl Anderson, another committee member and Dean of Public Health at the University of California, San Diego, highlighted that excessive consumption of sugar and salt is directly linked to chronic diseases that contribute to preventable deaths in the U.S.
Research Supporting These Recommendations:
- A 2019 study found that sugar-sweetened beverages increased the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
- Another 2019 study showed that excessive sodium intake heightened the likelihood of hypertension.
- The Mayo Clinic has documented that whole grains help reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Making Dietary Changes More Accessible
The advisory committee also considered socioeconomic factors when drafting their recommendations. Odoms-Young and Anderson emphasized the importance of ensuring that all Americans—regardless of income or location—can access nutritious foods.
“We hope these guidelines can be followed wherever people live, work, play, or pray,” Anderson said.
What Happens Next?
The report has been submitted to the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for review. The government is now accepting public comments before making a final decision on whether to adopt these recommendations into the official 2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
Source: NBC News