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Fulltext What Lies Behind the Transition From Plant-Based to Animal Protein?

Drewnowski A, Poulain JP

AMA J Ethics, 2018 10 01;20(10):E987-993.
PMID: 30346927 DOI: 10.1001/amajethics.2018.987

Dietary changes that occur in response to economic development are collectively known as the nutrition transition. More specifically, diets built around staple cereals and tubers give way to diets with more animal products and more added sugars and fats. Although the proportion of dietary protein stays constant, plant proteins are replaced by animal proteins but in ways that are dependent on regional cultural, religious, and ethical concerns. The protein transition, viewed here as a subset of the broader nutrition transition, illustrates how dietary patterns in low- and middle-income countries are shaped by societal as well as by economic forces. The complexity of food decisions justifies the need to integrate nutrition with the social sciences in the study of evolving food systems.
A Short Dietary Assessment Instrument to Evaluate Protein Quality and the Diversity of Protein Sources in Malaysian Diets

Drewnowski A, Monsivais P, Mognard E, Ismail Noor M, Karim N, Laporte C, et al.

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2024 Jan;36(1):36-42.
PMID: 38186372 DOI: 10.1177/10105395231219049

The diversity of protein food sources, animal and plant, may be a proxy measure of protein quality and adequate protein nutrition. A population-based sample of 1604 Malaysians aged ≥18 y completed one 24-h dietary recall and a new 29-item protein diversity indicator (PDI). Socio-demographic data were obtained by self-report. Mean total protein intakes were 75.2 g/d from 24-h recalls and 74.9 g/d from PDI. Protein diversity indicator-estimated protein intakes were 36.2% from meat and poultry, 8.8% from fish, 16.0% from eggs and dairy, and 39.0% from plants. Intakes of animal proteins varied with socioeconomic status and ethnicity and were associated with higher protein quality, defined as the adequacy of essential amino acids (EAAs) relative to protein requirements. Protein intakes and protein quality in Malaysia were generally adequate. Protein diversity indicator metrics can complement current methods of dietary assessment and may be useful for monitoring protein diversity and quality in other countries currently undergoing nutrition transition.
Fulltext A nutrient profiling system for the (re)formulation of a global food and beverage portfolio

Vlassopoulos A, Masset G, Charles VR, Hoover C, Chesneau-Guillemont C, Leroy F, et al.

Eur J Nutr, 2017 Apr;56(3):1105-1122.
PMID: 26879847 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-016-1161-9

PURPOSE: To describe the Nestlé Nutritional Profiling System (NNPS) developed to guide the reformulation of Nestlé products, and the results of its application in the USA and France.
DESIGN: The NNPS is a category-specific system that calculates nutrient targets per serving as consumed, based on age-adjusted dietary guidelines. Products are aggregated into 32 food categories. The NNPS ensures that excessive amounts of nutrients to limit cannot be compensated for by adding nutrients to encourage. A study was conducted to measure changes in nutrient profiles of the most widely purchased Nestlé products from eight food categories (n = 99) in the USA and France. A comparison was made between the 2009-2010 and 2014-2015 products.
RESULTS: The application of the NNPS between 2009-2010 and 2014-2015 was associated with an overall downwards trend for all nutrients to limit. Sodium and total sugars contents were reduced by up to 22 and 31 %, respectively. Saturated Fatty Acids and total fat reductions were less homogeneous across categories, with children products having larger reductions. Energy per serving was reduced by <10 % in most categories, while serving sizes remained unchanged.
CONCLUSIONS: The NNPS sets feasible and yet challenging targets for public health-oriented reformulation of a varied product portfolio; its application was associated with improved nutrient density in eight major food categories in the USA and France. Confirmatory analyses are needed in other countries and food categories; the impact of such a large-scale reformulation on dietary intake and health remains to be investigated.
Fulltext Sugars and sweeteners: science, innovations, and consumer guidance for Asia

Drewnowski A, Tappy L, Forde CG, McCrickerd K, Tee ES, Chan P, et al.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2019;28(3):645-663.
PMID: 31464412 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.201909_28(3).0025

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rising obesity in Southeast Asia, one consequence of economic growth, has been linked to a rising consumption of energy from added sugars. This symposium, organized by ILSI Southeast Asia, explored regional issues related to dietary sugars and health and identified ways in which these issues could be addressed by regional regulatory agencies, food producers, and the consumer.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Papers on the following topics were presented: 1) current scientific evidence on the effects of sugars and non-caloric sweeteners on body weight, health, and eating behaviors; 2) innovations by food producers to reduce sugar consumption in the region; 3) regional dietary surveillance of sugar consumption and suggestions for consumer guidance. A panel discussion explored effective approaches to promote healthy eating in the region.
RESULTS: Excessive consumption of energy in the form of added sugars can have adverse consequences on diet quality, lipid profiles, and health. There is a need for better surveillance of total and added sugars intakes in selected Southeast Asian countries. Among feasible alternatives to corn sweeteners (high fructose corn syrup) and cane sugar are indigenous sweeteners with low glycemic index (e.g., coconut sap sugar). Their health benefits should be examined and regional sugar consumption tracked in detail. Product reformulation to develop palatable lower calorie alternatives that are accepted by consumers continues to be a challenge for industry and regulatory agencies.
CONCLUSIONS: Public-private collaborations to develop healthy products and effective communication strategies can facilitate consumer acceptance and adoption of healthier foods.
Fulltext Socio-Cultural and Economic Drivers of Plant and Animal Protein Consumption in Malaysia: The SCRiPT Study

Drewnowski A, Mognard E, Gupta S, Ismail MN, Karim NA, Tibère L, et al.

Nutrients, 2020 May 25;12(5).
PMID: 32466102 DOI: 10.3390/nu12051530

Countries in South East Asia are undergoing a nutrition transition, which typically involves a dietary shift from plant to animal proteins. To explore the main drivers of protein consumption, the SCRiPT (Socio Cultural Research in Protein Transition) study recruited a population sample in Malaysia (N = 1604). Participants completed in-person 24 h dietary recalls and socio-demographic surveys. Energy and nutrient intakes were estimated using Nutritionist Pro. A novel recipe-based frequency count coded protein sources as meat (chicken, beef, pork, and mutton), fish, eggs, dairy, and plants (cereals, pulses, tubers). Dietary intakes and frequencies were examined by gender, age, income, education, ethnicity, religion, and family status, using ANOVAs and general linear models. Energy intakes were 1869 kcal/d for men and 1699 kcal/d for women. Protein intakes were 78.5 g/d for men and 72.5 g/d for women. Higher energy and protein intakes were associated with Chinese ethnicity, higher education and incomes. Frequency counts identified plant proteins in 50% of foods, followed by meat (19%), fish (12%), eggs (12%), and dairy (7%). Most frequent source of meat was chicken (16%) rather than pork or beef (1.5% each). In bivariate analyses, animal protein counts were associated with younger age, higher education and incomes. In mutually adjusted multivariate regression models, animal proteins were associated with education and ethnicity; plant proteins were associated with ethnicity and religion. Protein choices in Malaysia involve socio-cultural as well as economic variables.