Physicians Call for American Dietary Guidelines to Prioritize Legumes as a Protein Source

134 physicians from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine have called on the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prioritize beans, peas, and lentils as a protein source in the next Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They claim that promoting legume consumption can help prevent and reduce chronic diseases, as opposed to red and processed meats which are linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Legumes are also rich in fiber, a nutrient many Americans are lacking, and can benefit American farmers who grow these crops.

The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recently recommended moving legumes from the Vegetables Food Group to the Protein Food Group, listing Beans, Peas, and Lentils as the first protein subgroup. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine supports this recommendation, stating that it accurately reflects the importance of legumes as a protein source in many Americans' diets. They believe that prioritizing legumes in the guidelines will educate people on their nutritional value and dispel myths about plant-based foods being incomplete sources of protein, ultimately promoting better health outcomes and reducing the risk of various serious conditions.