Delineating the Nutritional Contribution of Animal Protein to Total Intakes Among Adults in the US

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Recent health recommendations emphasize plant proteins and limiting animal proteins. Animal-based protein foods contribute to key micronutrient intakes beyond protein, such as zinc, iron, and vitamin B12. This study aimed to identify the contributions of foods containing meat, poultry, or seafood (MPS) in comparison to the day's total intakes. Methods Complete dietary data via 24-hour recalls from the 2005–2018 NHANES were analyzed among adults aged >19 years (n = 35,309). The Food and Nutrients Database for Dietary Studies and Food Patterns Equivalents Database were used to estimate nutrient intakes and food categories, respectively. Foods containing MPS were identified as those that included meats, cured meats, organ meats, poultry, and seafood. The contribution of nutrients from all foods containing MPS were aggregated for each participant. Nutrient intakes from the total day and from MPS intakes were assessed for the total population, as well as across sex and age categories (20–35, 36–50, 51–70, 71 + years). Data were weighted to produce nationally representative estimates of nutrient intakes. Results Over half of dietary protein consumed on the day of intake originated from foods containing MPS in all groups besides adults aged 71 years and older (48%). MPS foods contributed to the majority (>50%) of cholesterol, selenium, vitamin B12, niacin, zinc, and lycopene intakes, and moderately (>30%) contributed to sodium, choline, unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, phosphorus, vitamins B1 and B6, and iron intakes. On average, males consumed greater quantities and proportions of both total protein and MPS-specific protein foods, with a greater % of the day's micronutrient intakes from MPS foods. Conclusions While recent recommendations have emphasized the consumption of plant proteins, the nutritional contribution of MPS foods to total dietary intakes indicates a greater role in nutritional intakes than protein. MPS containing foods served as key contributors to essential nutrients. Promoting dietary guidelines that reduce the consumption of these foods should account for the intakes of such nutrients in making targeted efforts to balance nutritional status with other foci of health and disease. Funding Sources This research was supported by the Beef Checkoff program.