ResearchResearch and Professional BriefConsumption of Dry Beans, Peas, and Lentils Could Improve Diet Quality in the US Population
Section snippets
Methods
Data from NHANES 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics were used for this study. NHANES is designed to monitor the health and nutritional status of the US population using a nationally representative sample of the US civilian, noninstitutionalized population. The survey is conducted on a continuous and annual basis and data are released in 2-year increments. Interviewer-administered 24-hour dietary recalls were collected in a mobile examination center.
Results and Discussion
Only 7.9% of the US population from 1999 to 2002 consumed beans, peas, or lentils on any given day. Main sources were pinto beans, refried beans (usually made from pinto beans), baked beans, chili, and other Mexican or Hispanic mixed dishes. Lentils, chickpeas, pink beans, pigeon peas, split peas, and fava beans were each represented by <1% of all dry beans consumed.
Lucier and colleagues (1) reported that in the CSFII 1994-1996, 14% of Americans were consuming at least one food containing dry
Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that increased levels of intake from dry beans and peas may result in higher intakes of fiber, folate, zinc, iron, and magnesium while lowering intakes of total fat and saturated fat in the diets of Americans. For most Americans, meeting current recommendations for fruit and vegetables is a challenge. Only 1% to 48% meets current recommendations for total fruit and vegetables combined, depending on age and sex (2). With the exception of the starchy vegetable
D. C. Mitchell is coordinator, Diet Assessment Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
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Cited by (0)
D. C. Mitchell is coordinator, Diet Assessment Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
T. J. Hartman is an associate professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
F. R. Lawrence is an assistant professor, Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
J. M. Curran is manager, market innovation, Pulse Canada, Winnepeg, MB, Canada