Plant and animal protein intakes are differently associated with nutrient adequacy in French adults

Abstract

The objective was to study the relations between animal and plant protein intake and the diet quality, as captured by an integrated index of nutrient adequacy. Using data from the French national dietary survey, INCA2 (2006–2007) for 1912 adults, we assessed diet quality with the PANDiet, based on the 35 probabilities of having adequate nutrient intakes. We used multiple regression analysis to study the relation with the intakes of plant, animal, and related food sources proteins. Plant protein intake was positively associated with the PANDiet, irrespective of gender (β=0.50; P<0.0001). In contrast, animal protein intakes were differently associated with the PANDiet, positively in women (β=0.08; P<0.0001) and negatively in men (β=−0.05; P<0.005). Relations between the PANDiet and intakes of animal food proteins were varied. Red meat and poultry protein intakes were negatively associated with the PANDiet in men but not in women. Furthermore, irrespective of gender, we found positive associations for fish, milk and yoghurt protein intakes and negative associations for eggs, offal, processed meat and cheese protein intakes. These findings show that plant protein is a robust marker of a high‐quality diet, whereas total animal protein hides different subtypes of animal food protein that display very contrasted relations with diet quality. These data could help to refine proteins recommendations.