The release of new U.S. dietary guidelines has renewed public discussion about nutrition and health in the U.S. Much of the attention has focused on the guidelines’ emphasis on animal protein, but the broader implications deserve careful consideration.
At Mercy For Animals, we believe dietary guidance should be grounded in science and consider its impacts on public health, animals, farmers, and food systems.
Where the Guidelines Get It Right
The updated guidelines emphasize reducing added sugars and prioritizing wholesome, healthy foods in the American diet. These recommendations align with long-standing public health guidance and reflect strong evidence linking excessive sugar intake and poor diet quality to chronic disease. Encouraging Americans to reduce consumption of sugary beverages and foods high in added sugars is an important step toward improving population health.
Where the Guidelines Fall Short
The guidelines place significant emphasis on animal-based protein while giving limited attention to plant-based and plant-forward dietary patterns, despite a strong body of evidence supporting their benefits.
Plant-based proteins are nutritionally adequate and accessible for many households. Foods such as beans, lentils, peas, tofu, tempeh, nuts, and seeds provide high-quality protein and fiber and are widely recognized as part of healthy dietary patterns. Diets that emphasize these foods are consistently associated with improved cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Dietary guidelines influence not only individual choices but also food served in schools, hospitals, military bases, and federal nutrition programs. When plant-based protein options are not clearly prioritized, opportunities to support public health and reduce reliance on industrial animal agriculture are missed.
Supporting Farmers Through Food System Change
Mercy For Animals works directly with farmers through The Transfarmation Project® to support transitions from animal agriculture to growing plant-based foods for people. Transfarmation-supported farms across the U.S. are producing mushrooms, specialty vegetables, legumes, and other plant-based protein crops.
These transitions show that plant-forward agriculture can support farmer livelihoods, strengthen rural economies, and contribute to more resilient food systems.
Why Animals Belong in the Conversation
Dietary guidance has direct consequences for farmed animals. Increased demand for animal-based protein drives systems that confine and slaughter billions of animals each year, often under conditions that raise serious welfare concerns.
Industrial farming practices heighten pandemic risks by enabling viruses to evolve into more dangerous forms. At factory farms, animals are crammed together in filthy conditions that not only cause suffering for the animals but also create the perfect environment for bird flu to spread and mutate.
Plant-based proteins offer a way to meet nutritional needs while reducing harm to animals. Expanding their role in dietary guidance would better reflect the full range of impacts tied to food choices.
Looking Ahead
As dietary guidance continues to evolve, Mercy For Animals will continue advocating for food systems that reflect the science, protect public health, and reduce harm to animals. Plant-based protein plays an essential role in building a healthier and more humane food system for communities in the U.S. and beyond.
Want to learn more about eating plant-based foods? Download our free How to Eat Veg Guide today!
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