Scientists reviewed how countries give food advice to their citizens and found that most guidelines don’t talk enough about eating more plants or protecting the environment. The researchers discovered five major problems: guidelines don’t properly include plant-based proteins, don’t clearly explain why eating less meat helps the planet, don’t explain how to get all needed nutrients from plants, don’t mention plant-based meat alternatives, and don’t give good advice about vegetarian and vegan diets. This matters because food choices affect both our health and Earth’s climate. The researchers suggest that countries should update their food guidelines to help people understand how eating more plants can be good for their bodies and the environment, while respecting different cultures and personal beliefs.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether national food guidelines around the world properly address plant-based eating and environmental sustainability
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing food guidelines from multiple countries, not a study with human participants
  • Key finding: Most countries’ food guidelines are missing important information about plant-based proteins, how to eat vegetarian or vegan diets safely, and why eating less meat helps the environment
  • What it means for you: Your country’s food guidelines may not be giving you complete information about plant-based eating options. If you’re interested in eating more plants for health or environmental reasons, you may need to do extra research beyond official guidelines to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need

The Research Details

This was a review study, meaning researchers looked at and analyzed food guidelines from many different countries instead of doing their own experiment. They examined what current guidelines say about eating plants, protecting the environment, and different types of diets. The researchers created a framework—basically a checklist—to evaluate whether guidelines were complete and helpful for people with different dietary choices.

The researchers weren’t testing new ideas on people. Instead, they were studying existing documents and policies to find patterns and problems. This type of research is useful because it can spot big-picture issues that affect many people across different countries.

This approach matters because food guidelines influence what millions of people eat every day. When guidelines are incomplete or outdated, they may not help people make the healthiest or most environmentally friendly choices. By reviewing what’s missing, researchers can suggest improvements that governments can use to update their guidelines.

This is a review article published in a respected nutrition journal, which means it was checked by other experts before publication. However, because it’s a review rather than an original study, it doesn’t provide new experimental data. The findings depend on how carefully the researchers analyzed existing guidelines. The strength of this work comes from examining guidelines across multiple countries and identifying common gaps that many nations share.

What the Results Show

The researchers found five major gaps in food guidelines worldwide. First, most guidelines don’t properly include plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and nuts in their main food groups—they’re often mentioned as afterthoughts rather than main options. Second, guidelines rarely explain clearly why eating less meat is good for both your health and the planet. Third, they don’t provide enough information about how to get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs from plant-based foods. Fourth, newer plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy aren’t mentioned in most guidelines. Fifth, guidelines don’t give detailed advice about how to eat a healthy vegetarian or vegan diet.

These gaps are important because they make it harder for people who want to eat more plants—whether for health, environmental, religious, or cultural reasons—to follow official government advice. People end up having to search for information elsewhere instead of getting clear guidance from trusted sources.

The researchers also noted that food guidelines need to be more flexible and culturally aware. Different countries and cultures have different traditional foods and eating patterns, so guidelines should respect these differences while still promoting health and sustainability. The review suggests that guidelines should help people understand how their food choices affect the environment, not just their personal health.

This research builds on growing recognition that food systems need to change to fight climate change and improve health. Previous research has shown that eating more plants is better for the environment and can reduce disease risk. This review adds to that knowledge by showing that official government guidelines haven’t caught up with what science tells us about plant-based eating.

This is a review of existing guidelines, not a study testing whether updated guidelines would actually help people eat better or be healthier. The researchers couldn’t test whether their suggestions would work in real life. Additionally, the review doesn’t include data on how many people currently follow plant-based diets or what barriers they face, so it focuses on the guidelines themselves rather than people’s actual eating habits.

The Bottom Line

Governments should update their food guidelines to: (1) clearly list plant-based proteins as main food options, (2) explain the health and environmental benefits of eating less meat, (3) provide detailed guidance on getting all needed nutrients from plants, (4) include plant-based alternatives in recommendations, and (5) give complete advice about vegetarian and vegan diets. These changes should respect different cultures and personal beliefs. Confidence level: High—this is based on reviewing current scientific evidence and identifying clear gaps.

Everyone should care about this because better guidelines help all of us make healthier choices. This is especially important for people interested in eating more plants, people concerned about environmental impact, and anyone following vegetarian or vegan diets. Parents, teachers, and healthcare providers should also pay attention because they help guide others’ food choices.

Changes to official guidelines typically take 1-3 years to develop and implement. Once updated guidelines are available, people may start seeing health benefits from following them within weeks to months, depending on what changes they make. Environmental benefits from widespread dietary shifts would take longer—years to decades—to become noticeable.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your plant-based protein sources daily (beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds) and aim to include at least 2-3 different sources per day. Log the type and amount to see if you’re getting variety and meeting your protein needs.
  • Use the app to set a goal of adding one new plant-based protein source to your diet each week. Start with options you already like and gradually explore new ones. The app can send reminders to try different plant-based foods and track which ones you enjoy most.
  • Weekly review of plant-based food variety and nutrient intake. Use the app to monitor whether you’re getting enough iron, vitamin B12, calcium, and other key nutrients from plant sources. Set monthly goals to increase the percentage of meals that are plant-based, starting with whatever level feels comfortable for you.

This review identifies gaps in current food guidelines but does not provide personalized dietary advice. Before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you’re considering vegetarian or vegan eating, consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare provider to ensure you’re meeting all your nutritional needs. This is particularly important for children, pregnant women, and people with existing health conditions. While plant-based diets can be healthy, they require careful planning to ensure adequate intake of protein, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients.