Beans are having a moment — and doctors want to make it official.
In a June 24 letter, 134 physicians urged federal health officials to elevate beans, peas and lentils in the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Specifically, they’re asking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to classify legumes as a core protein source, not just a vegetable.
“This key recommendation will help meet our shared goal of preventing and reducing chronic disease,” wrote the doctors, who are members of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a national health advocacy group that includes 17,000 physicians.
Their request echoes recent recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a panel of nutrition experts that advises the federal government every five years. In its latest report, the committee recommended that legumes be moved from the “Vegetables” category into the “Protein Foods Group” — and that they be listed ahead of nuts, seeds, soy, seafood and meat.
So why does this reclassification matter? Beans, peas and lentils are high in fiber, packed with essential nutrients and have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Unlike red and processed meats, which are associated with chronic disease, legumes offer a whole-food, plant-based protein alternative that’s widely grown by American farmers.
The letter also takes aim at a common myth — that plant-based proteins are “incomplete.” In reality, eating a varied diet of plant foods easily supplies all the amino acids our bodies need.
“Overwhelming evidence supports the role of these foods in supporting cardiovascular health, promoting a healthy body weight, and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, and other serious conditions,” said Dr. Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee. “It is vital that the next Dietary Guidelines for Americans prioritize these nutritious sources of protein.”
The new guidelines are expected later this year.