Americans Encouraged to Prioritize Beans and Vegetables Over Red Meat

Nutrition experts have released updated recommendations advising Americans to eat more legumes, such as beans and lentils, and to cut back on red and processed meats as well as starchy vegetables. These guidelines, which also emphasize limiting added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat, will shape federal food programs and policies for 2025-2030.

A panel of 20 nutrition specialists, after nearly two years of review, suggested diets rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and unsaturated fats from vegetable oils. Fish, low-fat dairy, and plant-based foods are also highlighted as healthy options. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, a panel member, noted that this year’s recommendations were developed with a focus on “health equity,” ensuring diverse populations and income levels are considered.

While the experts evaluated studies linking ultraprocessed foods to obesity and other health problems, they refrained from advising against such foods due to insufficient evidence. The panel also upheld existing alcohol guidelines, which limit men to two drinks daily and women to one.

These recommendations aim to address persistent health challenges in the U.S., where over half of adults face diet-related chronic conditions and millions experience food insecurity. Public comments on the guidelines are open for 60 days, with final updates expected next year.

Latest Petitions to Sign:

• Petition: Help Shut Down Zoo in England That Has a Long History of Animal Abuse and Neglect
• Petition: Help Enshrine the Amazon Rainforest’s Right to Exist into Law
• Petition: Urge SeaQuest to Shut Down Remaining Locations and Send Animals to Sanctuaries
• Petition: Help Send Escaped Lab Monkeys to a Sanctuary
• Petition: Help Pass Pennsylvania Bill That Protects Pets from Domestic Violence
• Petition: Investigate Woman Who Stuffed Dead Dogs in ‘Caskets Boxes’ and in a Freezer
• Petition: Tell the Scottish and UK Governments to Ban the Public Sale of Fireworks to Protect Animals
• Petition: Tell the EU to Ban Single-Use Disposable Vapes
• Petition: Justice for Thousands of Workers in Saudi Arabia Who Have Died or Gone Missing
• Petition: Tell Hawaii to Follow California’s Lead and Ban Octopus Farming

Related Content:

• 6 Reasons the Standard American Diet is Unacceptable
• Why the American Diet Needs a Break from Meat and Dairy – For the Planet’s Sake
• Survey Shows Americans Prefer Diet Changes Over Weight-Loss Injections
• If Americans Switched From Meat-Heavy to Plant-Based Diet, It Would Be Equivalent to Taking 660 Million Cars Off the Road

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!