The U.S. Dietary Guidelines Are Changing — And You Might Rethink Your Protein Intake

It has been predicted that there will be a shift toward plant-based protein. Here's how nutrition experts say this could affect you.

With so many different dietary opinions out there, it’s hard to know what’s actually healthy. It’s a major reason the U.S. Department of Agriculture created the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 1980. These guidelines have become the cornerstone of healthy food advice — if an eating plan you’re considering is wildly different from these guidelines, which are set by leading health care professionals, nutrition educators and policymakers, it’s a sure sign to reconsider.

To consistently reflect the latest scientific research, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated every five years. That means they will be updated later this year. Rumor has it the primary change will be to emphasize plant protein over animal protein.

Considering that many Americans center their meals around meat, this is a pretty big change. It can be a confusing one, too: Does it really matter where you’re getting your protein as long as you’re consuming enough? Here’s everything you need to know, straight from registered dietitians.

Is Plant Protein Healthier Than Animal Protein?

Registered dietitian Maddie Pasquariello told HuffPost that protein sources vary in terms of their nutrient profiles — as does all food, for that matter. Animal protein (which typically refers to beef, pork, chicken, turkey and lamb), eggs, seafood, dairy and plant-based proteins (including beans, lentils, chickpeas, soy, nuts and seeds) all have different pros and cons.