Abstract
Background: Limited research has assessed nutrient and diet quality implications resulting from the replacement of protein-rich foods with canned beans.
Objective: The purpose of the present modeling analysis was to examine shortfall nutrient intakes and diet quality when isocalorically substituting protein foods with canned beans, including kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, and pinto beans.
Methods: A modeling analysis was completed in free-living American adults using data from What We Eat in American 2001-2018, the dietary component of the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Results: The isocaloric substitution of protein foods with 1 and 2 servings of canned beans daily to the US typical dietary pattern significantly improved shortfall nutrient intakes. Intake of dietary fiber increased by 30% and 51%, respectively, with replacement of protein foods with 1 and 2 serving of canned beans, relative to the US typical dietary pattern (p<0.0001). Intake of iron, magnesium, potassium, and folate increased in the range of approximately 6-7% and 10-13% with replacement of protein foods with 1 and 2 servings of canned beans compared to the US typical dietary pattern (p<0.0001). Isocaloric substitution of protein foods with 1 and 2 servings of canned beans with the US typical dietary pattern led to 12% and 15% higher total Healthy Eating Index-2015 scores, respectively (p<0.0001).
Conclusions: Replacing commonly consumed protein foods with canned beans significantly increased shortfall nutrient intakes and improved diet quality. Greater canned bean consumption should be considered within future dietary recommendations as a strategy to promote nutrient intake shortfalls and improve deficits with current diet quality scores.