Biden-Harris Dietary Guidelines Propose Shift From Meat to Plant-Based Proteins
A lesser-known federal committee under the Biden-Harris administration is drafting new dietary guidelines that prioritize plant-based proteins, like beans, peas, and lentils, over traditional meat options such as chicken and beef.
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a 20-person panel of health and nutrition experts, recently signaled that “beans, peas, and lentils” should move out of the vegetable category and be recognized as central protein sources, potentially diminishing the emphasis on meat and poultry.
This initial directive arose during a multi-hour session hosted by the National Institutes of Health, where the committee debated categorizing plant-based options over animal products.
Part 1 of the committee’s proposal seeks to downgrade meat to below options like “nuts, seeds, soy products, and seafood.”
Part 2 aims to bring beans, peas, and lentils into the protein group, a shift committee members believe will help break “a branding crisis when it comes to protein—thinking automatically meat,” as committee member Deirdre Tobias noted.
Tobias added, “if there are more plant sources of proteins in the protein category that could help overcome that, you know, mislabeling or misnomer or misinformation.”
Expected to be submitted for approval by the USDA and HHS in December, this draft suggests a significant shift in America’s protein sources.
Committee vice chair Angela Odoms-Young further supported the shift, suggesting beans, peas, and lentils form their own category in dietary guidelines.
Industry leaders in the meat sector, however, have voiced concerns over the proposed changes.
“We just think this completely disregards the body of science and the reality of how beef is doing such an important job in helping meet nutrient gaps,” said Shalene McNeill, executive director of nutrition science at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
She emphasized that “beef is doing a really important job of helping close nutrition gaps,” citing research that shows moderate beef intake supports health in ways plant-based proteins might not fully replicate.
The guidelines, if enacted, would reflect a broader trend in dietary advice, which has increasingly highlighted environmental and health implications tied to meat production and consumption.
The new recommendations are expected to fuel ongoing debate between advocates of traditional protein sources and proponents of plant-based diets, particularly given the potential implications for food policy and public health initiatives across the U.S.
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