Survey Reveals Health Professionals See Underrepresentation of Plant Foods in Dietary Guidelines

Conducted by ProVeg International and the University of Göttingen, the study was published in Current Developments in Nutrition. Its aim was to assess how factors influence the adoption of food-based dietary guidelines from the viewpoint of health and nutrition professionals.

The study's first phase included qualitative interviews with 20 professionals from six continents. Insights from these interviews were utilized in the second phase, which involved a quantitative survey targeting global health professionals. Data gathered was then analyzed statistically.

The findings showed that while 80.5 percent of the respondents incorporate national food-based dietary guidelines in their practice, 57.6 percent found them to be only “somewhat” or “slightly” helpful in promoting healthy and sustainable diets. A significant number of participants pointed out the lack of representation of plant-based foods in these guidelines; 62.7 percent identified pulses, 47.5 percent noted plant-based milk alternatives, and 42.4 percent mentioned nuts and seeds as underrepresented.

Moreover, acknowledging that the burden of healthy eating is often placed entirely on consumers, 65.3 percent of those surveyed supported initiatives like tax relief and subsidies aimed at increasing access to nutritious, sustainable food options. The study emphasizes that retailers, restaurants, and food producers should facilitate easier choices for consumers.

Anna-Lena Klapp, head of research at ProVeg International and lead author of the study, said that dietary guidelines could significantly influence healthier and more sustainable food systems if they are grounded in practicality and reality. She stressed the necessity for coordinated action throughout the food system to enable broader access to healthy and sustainable choices.