Dietary guidance on plant-based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intake
A new generation of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) has entered the mainstream. These products contain concentrated sources of plant protein and are formulated to mimic the taste and texture of their meat-based counterparts, especially red meat. The increased availability of these products coi...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1641234/full |
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| author | Virginia Messina Nanci S. Guest Alison M. Duncan Ann Reed Mangels Jack Norris Matt Ruscigno Andrea J. Glenn Taylor Wolfram Christopher P. F. Marinangeli Mark Messina |
| author_facet | Virginia Messina Nanci S. Guest Alison M. Duncan Ann Reed Mangels Jack Norris Matt Ruscigno Andrea J. Glenn Taylor Wolfram Christopher P. F. Marinangeli Mark Messina |
| author_sort | Virginia Messina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A new generation of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) has entered the mainstream. These products contain concentrated sources of plant protein and are formulated to mimic the taste and texture of their meat-based counterparts, especially red meat. The increased availability of these products coincides with calls from health agencies to increase the dietary plant-to-animal protein ratio for health and environmental reasons. The role of PBMAs in achieving the goal of consuming more plant protein may be particularly important since consumption of whole plant foods, such as legumes, which includes pulses (e.g., beans, peas and lentils), is unlikely to increase without major public policy initiatives. Nevertheless, there is debate about the healthfulness of PBMAs and about whether the benefits associated with traditional plant-based diets emphasizing whole plant foods apply to PBMAs. These products are heavily processed, often high in sodium, and contain lower levels of compounds (e.g., fiber, resistant starch, polyphenols) typically associated with the benefits of plant-based diets. On the other hand, PBMAs are excellent sources of protein, and many are fortified with nutrients of concern in plant-based diets. Collectively, the evidence suggests that while they may not provide all the benefits of whole legumes, PBMAs have health and environmental advantages over comparable animal-derived foods. For most individuals, a daily serving of a PBMA fits well within the context of an overall healthy diet. Higher intakes may also be compatible with healthy eating, especially for those whose protein and/or calorie needs are increased. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1eb7a0c593fe4e01a7dbe693d0f3a98a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-1eb7a0c593fe4e01a7dbe693d0f3a98a2025-08-20T02:56:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-08-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16412341641234Dietary guidance on plant-based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intakeVirginia Messina0Nanci S. Guest1Alison M. Duncan2Ann Reed Mangels3Jack Norris4Matt Ruscigno5Andrea J. Glenn6Taylor Wolfram7Christopher P. F. Marinangeli8Mark Messina9Nutrition Matters, Inc., Pittsfield, MA, United StatesDepartment of Nutritional Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaDepartment of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaRetired, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesVegan Outreach, Sacramento, CA, United StatesConsultant, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesDepartment of Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University, New York, NY, United StatesTaylor Wolfram PLLC, La Grange, IL, United StatesCentre for Regulatory Research and Innovation, Protein Industries Canada, Regina, SK, Canada0Director of Nutrition Science and Research, Soy Nutrition Institute Global, Jefferson City, MO, United StatesA new generation of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) has entered the mainstream. These products contain concentrated sources of plant protein and are formulated to mimic the taste and texture of their meat-based counterparts, especially red meat. The increased availability of these products coincides with calls from health agencies to increase the dietary plant-to-animal protein ratio for health and environmental reasons. The role of PBMAs in achieving the goal of consuming more plant protein may be particularly important since consumption of whole plant foods, such as legumes, which includes pulses (e.g., beans, peas and lentils), is unlikely to increase without major public policy initiatives. Nevertheless, there is debate about the healthfulness of PBMAs and about whether the benefits associated with traditional plant-based diets emphasizing whole plant foods apply to PBMAs. These products are heavily processed, often high in sodium, and contain lower levels of compounds (e.g., fiber, resistant starch, polyphenols) typically associated with the benefits of plant-based diets. On the other hand, PBMAs are excellent sources of protein, and many are fortified with nutrients of concern in plant-based diets. Collectively, the evidence suggests that while they may not provide all the benefits of whole legumes, PBMAs have health and environmental advantages over comparable animal-derived foods. For most individuals, a daily serving of a PBMA fits well within the context of an overall healthy diet. Higher intakes may also be compatible with healthy eating, especially for those whose protein and/or calorie needs are increased.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1641234/fullenvironmentvegetarianultra-processed foodslegumesplant-based meat |
| spellingShingle | Virginia Messina Nanci S. Guest Alison M. Duncan Ann Reed Mangels Jack Norris Matt Ruscigno Andrea J. Glenn Taylor Wolfram Christopher P. F. Marinangeli Mark Messina Dietary guidance on plant-based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intake Frontiers in Nutrition environment vegetarian ultra-processed foods legumes plant-based meat |
| title | Dietary guidance on plant-based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intake |
| title_full | Dietary guidance on plant-based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intake |
| title_fullStr | Dietary guidance on plant-based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intake |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dietary guidance on plant-based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intake |
| title_short | Dietary guidance on plant-based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intake |
| title_sort | dietary guidance on plant based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intake |
| topic | environment vegetarian ultra-processed foods legumes plant-based meat |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1641234/full |
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