People who drink, smoke, are inactive or overweight may live longer if they eat more plant protein like beans, nuts and seeds, according to a new study. This is consistent with other studies which suggest benefits for people who increase their intake of plant protein and reduce the amount of meat they eat.
The World Health Organization recommends people avoid processed meats. They contain nitrites that have been linked with cancer. It also recommends people eat less red meat. Fish and poultry are better. And very good for health are plant-based proteins.
‘A total reversal for a lot of Canadians’
Eating more plant proteins can be a “challenging shift” for Canadians says Christy Brissette, a registered dietitian and president of 80 Twenty Nutrition, a consulting and communications company.
“A lot of Canadians still focus their meals around the animal protein…and then (they are) not getting enough of plant proteins that have plenty of health benefits like fibre. Our nuts and seeds and things like beans and lentils have really important types of fibre that are important for our gut health and help to boost our immune system. So trying to plan our meals around the plant foods is a total reversal for a lot of Canadians.”
ListenLess meat is better
When people do eat meat, Brissette says the portion should be about the size of one’s palm or take up one-third of the plate. The other two-thirds should contain plant-based food.
This observational study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine looked the lives of 130,000 nurses and other health professional over several decades.
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