More Than 130 Physicians Urge Federal Government to Prioritize Beans, Peas, Lentils in Next Dietary Guidelines

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a June 24, 2025, letter, 134 physicians urged the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that the next Dietary Guidelines for Americans include science-backed recommendations to prioritize the consumption of beans, peas, and lentils as a protein source.  

“This key recommendation will help meet our shared goal of preventing and reducing chronic disease,” wrote the doctors, members of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a national health advocacy group which includes 17,000 physicians.  

The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recently recommended that the current federal nutrition guidelines be modified to move the “Beans, Peas, and Lentils Subgroup” from the “Vegetables Food Group” to the “Protein Foods Group.” The Advisory Committee also recommended reorganizing the “Protein Foods Subgroups” to list “Beans, Peas, and Lentils” first, then “Nuts, Seeds, and Soy Products,” over “Seafood,” and “Meats, Poultry, and Eggs.” 

“This reorganization would better emphasize the benefits of legumes and would more accurately classify these foods as a major protein source in many Americans’ diets,” the letter says. “Additionally, this recommended reorganization would better educate the public on the nutritional value of these foods and help dispel the myth that plant-based proteins are ‘incomplete’ or inadequate sources of protein.”

The letter likewise points out beans, peas, and lentils provide an abundance of fiber, which Americans are currently deficient in. They are whole foods, often produced and sourced from American farmers. Plant-based sources of protein like legumes have regularly been linked to a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer, unlike red and processed meats, which are strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is a group of nationally recognized nutrition and public health experts who were tasked with reviewing the current body of nutrition science on specific topics and questions as well as developing a Scientific Report, released in December 2024, that included its independent, science-based advice for HHS and USDA to consider when updating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

“The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s report put important and appropriate emphasis on beans and other plant-based foods,” said Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, president of the Physicians Committee. “Overwhelming evidence supports the role of these foods in supporting cardiovascular health, promoting a healthy body weight, and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, and other serious conditions. It is vital that the next Dietary Guidelines for Americans prioritize these nutritious sources of protein.”

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Scientific Report recommended emphasizing beans, peas, and lentils while reducing consumption of red and processed meats.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are revised every five years by HHS and the USDA. New guidelines are expected to be released this year.

Note to reporters: To arrange an interview with Dr. Barnard, please contact Kim Kilbride at 202-717-8665 or kkilbride [at] pcrm.org (kkilbride[at]pcrm[dot]org).