Sustainability and plant-based protein in Dietary Guidelines

Abstract

Dietary guidelines are nutritional education instruments and can also be an important ally in preserving the environment. By indicating foods of plant-based foods, the guides contribute enormously to reducing the use of natural resources caused by our food systems. The objective of this research was to analyze all guides in relation to protein recommendations and for this purpose, a qualitative research was carried out using the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) website, which includes all members of the United Nations (UN). Countries were grouped by location and/or cultural proximity, a grouping made by FAO itself. Comparisons were made within these groups and the analyzed items were presented through tables that also include the year of the last guide published. The similarity between some guides from neighboring countries is noted, mainly between some countries in Africa and Latin America. Some countries recommend as a protein source certain foods that are less common for most, but are integral to the culture of that country. The majority of guidelines recommend dairy products without suggesting plant-based substitutes. Few countries have detailed recommendations on the consumption of plant-based proteins. Other sustainability-related topics, such as food waste, greenhouse gas emission, transportation, packaging, etc., are still inadequately addressed.