Replacing Protein Foods for Canned Beans Increases Shortfall Nutrient Intakes and Improves Diet Quality in Adults

Summary

This modelling study used nationally representative dietary data from NHANES (What We Eat in America, 2001–2018) to simulate the nutritional impact of replacing conventional protein foods with canned beans in the typical American adult diet. Isocaloric substitution with one or two daily servings of canned kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, or pinto beans was associated with meaningful improvements in intakes of several nutrients commonly identified as shortfall nutrients in the US population. The findings suggest that canned beans represent a practical and nutritionally advantageous substitution within existing dietary patterns, contributing to improved diet quality without increasing caloric intake.

UK applicability

This study is based on US dietary data and reference values, so findings are not directly transferable to UK populations; however, given comparable shortfall nutrients identified in UK dietary surveys (such as fibre and potassium), the broad conclusion that substituting protein foods with legumes improves diet quality is likely relevant to UK dietary guidance and public health messaging around sustainable protein sources.

Key measures

Shortfall nutrient intakes (e.g. dietary fibre, potassium, magnesium, iron, folate); diet quality scores; isocaloric substitution at 1 and 2 servings per day across four canned bean varieties

Outcomes reported

The study measured changes in shortfall nutrient intakes and overall diet quality scores when protein foods were isocalorically replaced with one or two daily servings of canned beans (kidney, black, chickpea, and pinto) in the diets of free-living American adults. It reported nutrient intake levels relative to dietary reference values and modelled improvements in diet quality.

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