Protein Quality Changes of Vegan Day Menus with Different Plant Protein Source Compositions (original) (raw)

The importance of protein variety in a higher quality and lower environmental impact dietary pattern

Public Health Nutrition

Objective: Eating a variety of nutritious foods is fundamental to good nutrition. However, this principle is challenged when recommendations seeking to improve the environmental sustainability of diets call for avoidance of foods considered to have a higher environmental footprint, such as animal-sourced foods. Our objective was to assess the implications for nutritional adequacy of protein choice across Australian adult diets preselected as having higher quality and lower environmental impact scores. Design: Each individual diet was assessed for variety of food choice within the ‘Fresh meat and alternatives’ food group defined in the Australian Dietary Guidelines, which includes protein-rich foods such as eggs, nuts, tofu and legumes in addition to animal meats. Diets were grouped according to variety score and whether they included only animal meats, only alternatives or a variety of meat and alternatives. Nutrient content was assessed relative to estimated average requirements (E...

Role of Meat in Healthy Eating Patterns: Considerations for Protein Quantity and Protein Quality

Meat and Muscle Biology, 2020

The benefits of higher-protein diets for supporting increases in and maintenance of muscle is well established for athletes and routinely active individuals, weight management, and aging. However, quantity does not always equal quality. Within the framework of the dietary recommendations, the critical role of protein quality has been lost given the complexity of our food system. Science shows that animal-derived proteins better support muscle protein synthesis than plant-based proteins due to higher amounts and unique profiles of essential amino acids, nutrients that cannot be made by the body and must be provided in the diet. Although the lower quality of plant-based proteins may be overcome by eating more total protein or blending complementary plant-based proteins to provide all of the essential amino acids in amounts similar to animal protein, there may be unintended consequences in the context of the total diet (e.g., higher total calories, challenges for weight management). This paper reviews recommendations and research specific to protein quantity and quality in the context of meat's contribution to healthy eating patterns and considers implications of protein source for sustainability and the environment.

Theoretical Food and Nutrient Composition of Whole-Food Plant-Based and Vegan Diets Compared to Current Dietary Recommendations

Nutrients

Public interest in popular diets is increasing, in particular whole-food plant-based (WFPB) and vegan diets. Whether these diets, as theoretically implemented, meet current food-based and nutrient-based recommendations has not been evaluated in detail. Self-identified WFPB and vegan diet followers in the Adhering to Dietary Approaches for Personal Taste (ADAPT) Feasibility Survey reported their most frequently used sources of information on nutrition and cooking. Thirty representative days of meal plans were created for each diet. Weighted mean food group and nutrient levels were calculated using the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) and data were compared to DRIs and/or USDA Dietary Guidelines/MyPlate meal plan recommendations. The calculated HEI-2015 scores were 88 out of 100 for both WFPB and vegan meal plans. Because of similar nutrient composition, only WFPB results are presented. In comparison to MyPlate, WFPB meal plans provide more total vegetables (180%), green leaf...

Limitations with the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) with Special Attention to Plant-Based Diets: a Review

Current Nutrition Reports, 2021

Purpose of Review This review describes several limitations of the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) with a focus on its application to plant-based dietary patterns. Recent Findings Evaluating protein quality in terms of digestibility is paramount to support and optimize the health and well-being of human populations in situations where food insecurity and protein energy malnutrition are widespread. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has endorsed the DIAAS to replace the previously recommended Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) for protein quality assessment. Summary While multiple strengths characterize the DIAAS, substantial limitations remain, many of which are accentuated in the context of a plant-based dietary pattern. Some of these limitations include a failure to translate differences in nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors between plant- and animal-based foods, limited representation of commonly consumed...

Factors Influencing Dietary Protein Sources in the PREMIER Trial Population

Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2010

Previous research suggests that protein intake, particularly plant protein, may benefit blood pressure (BP) control. However, very little has been published regarding protein sources in diets of the US adults and factors influencing these choices. The purpose of this report is to describe specific sources of animal and plant proteins in diets of PREMIER clinical trial participants at baseline and how the PREMIER intervention, along with participant demographics, affected protein sources. Adult participants (n=809) who completed the 18-month PREMIER lifestyle intervention trial and had at least one diet recall at each of three study visits were included. Participants were recruited from four clinical centers in the Eastern, Southern and Northeastern regions of US. The PREMIER trial, conducted from 1999 to 2002, compared the impact on BP of two structured behavioral interventions focusing on the traditional lifestyle modifications for BP control with or without the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern. Protein sources were assessed by two unannounced 24 hour recalls at each of three study visits. Differences in protein sources were mainly related to participant demographics, with relatively moderate impact of the intervention. The top four protein sources for all the study participants were poultry, dairy, refined grains and beef, each contributing approximately 10-17% in descending order to the total protein intake at baseline. Animal and plant protein each comprised approximately 66% and 34%, respectively, to the total daily protein intake at baseline and such overall contribution pattern remained relatively constant over time. However, gender, race, age and body weight status all influenced contribution patterns from different food groups significantly. These influences significantly impact choice and are essential elements to consider when designing intervention programs to alter protein contributions from animal versus plant sources.

Dietary protein content for an optimal diet: a clinical view

Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle, 2017

The dietary protein role in different clinical nutritional conditions and some physio-pathological perspectives is a current and hot topic to discuss. Recent Proceedings of the Protein Summit 2, joining more than 60 nutrition scientists, health experts, and nutrition educators, suggest to increase plant but, in particular, animal protein intake because richer in leucine and consequently more effective to influence anabolic protein metabolism. The Panel conclusions are in apparent contradiction with the nutritional ecology statements, which strongly sustain the reduction of animal origin foods in the human diet and are currently concerned about the excessive, mainly animal protein intake in western and westernized Countries. In conclusion, it is time to carefully evaluate protein and aminoacid intake accurately considering quality, digestibility, daily distribution and individual characteristics.

Exploring Health-Promoting Attributes of Plant Proteins as a Functional Ingredient for the Food Sector: A Systematic Review of Human Interventional Studies

Nutrients, 2020

The potential beneficial effects of plant-based diets on human health have been extensively studied. However, the evidence regarding the health effects of extracted plant-based proteins as functional ingredients, other than soya, is scarce. The aim of this review was to compile evidence on the effects of extracted protein from a wide range of traditional and novel plant sources on glycemic responses, appetite, body weight, metabolic, cardiovascular and muscle health. A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was conducted through 23 and 27 March 2020 for randomized controlled trials that featured any of the following 18 plant protein sources: alfalfa, duckweed, buckwheat, chickpea, fava bean, hemp, lentil, lupin, mushroom, oat, pea, potato, pumpkin, quinoa, rapeseed, rice, sacha inchi, sunflower. Only interventions that investigated concentrated, isolated or hydrolysed forms of dietary protein were included. Searched he...

Comparison of Nutritional Quality of the Vegan, Vegetarian, Semi-Vegetarian, Pesco-Vegetarian and Omnivorous Diet

Nutrients, 2014

The number of studies comparing nutritional quality of restrictive diets is limited. Data on vegan subjects are especially lacking. It was the aim of the present study to compare the quality and the contributing components of vegan, vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian and omnivorous diets. Dietary intake was estimated using a cross-sectional online survey with a 52-items food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010) and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) were calculated as indicators for diet quality. After analysis of the diet questionnaire and the FFQ, 1475 participants were classified as vegans (n = 104), vegetarians (n = 573), semi-vegetarians (n = 498), pesco-vegetarians (n = 145), and omnivores (n = 155).