Meal Protein Quality Score: A Novel Tool to Evaluate Protein Quantity and Quality of Meals

Abstract

BackgroundThe recent shift toward increased plant-based protein consumption has necessitated the development of new tools to evaluate the quality and quantity of protein in meals, especially given the changing dietary guidelines and the adoption of plant-centric menus in healthcare and other settings. ObjectivesTo develop and test the feasibility of the meal protein quality score (MPQS), a novel metric that assesses the protein quality and quantity in meals based on essential amino acid (EAA) content, digestibility, and requirements, with a focus on optimizing protein intake for vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. MethodsThe MPQS integrates digestibility-adjusted EAA intake with total protein consumed in a meal, which, together with the EAA requirements, provides a score from 0 to 100 to reflect EAA coverage adequacy. The score was tested for feasibility by applying it to recipe data from real-life hospital meals and to dietary data from the [New Dietary Strategies Addressing the Specific Needs of Elderly Population for Healthy Aging in Europe] NU-AGE trial, involving detailed 7-d food records from 252 nonvegan participants analyzed over multiple meal moments. ResultsThe analyses revealed that the higher the content of plant protein in a meal, the lower the meal protein quality. Also, breakfast meals scored lowest on protein quality, mainly due to low contents of protein overall, and of lysine and methionine. The MPQS effectively highlighted the difference in protein quality between plant-based and animal-based meals, and across different meal types. ConclusionsThe MPQS appears to be a practical tool that facilitates the assessment of meal-based protein quality. The MPQS can be used to guide dietary transitions toward plant-rich diets, ensuring that such shifts do not compromise protein adequacy for at-risk populations. The score allows for guidance in meal planning, leading to improvements in plant-rich meal formulation to meet both individual and public health nutritional needs.