Dietary Intake of Plant-Based Meat Consumers-A Cross-Sectional Analysis Based on the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (Years 2014-2019) in the United Kingdom.

Authors

Nicole Neufingerl, Laurine Ballintijn, Sander Biesbroek, Anne J Wanders

Published in

Current developments in nutrition. Volume 10. Issue 7. Pages 109401. Epub Jun 17, 2026.

Abstract

Current knowledge on the quality of dietary intakes from plant-based meat (PBM)-containing diets is mainly based on theoretical modeling studies, whereas empirical evidence from actual consumption data is scarce.
This study aimed to investigate dietary intakes of PBM consumers compared with nonconsumers using real-life United Kingdom consumption data.
Intakes of adults (18-65 y) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Program (2014-2019) in the United Kingdom were calculated based on a 4-d dietary diary. Nutrient intakes were expressed as percentages of nutrient-specific dietary reference values (DRVs), and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to test for differences in food and nutrient intakes between PBM consumers (n = 101) and nonconsumers (n = 1845). Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess PBM consumption as an independent predictor of nutrient intakes.
PBM consumers consumed more fruits, vegetables, and pulses (median [interquartile range]: 346 [234, 484] compared with 228 [121, 365] g/d, P < 0.001) and less animal meat compared with non-PBM consumers (17 [0, 105] compared with 125 [74, 185] g/d, P < 0.001). PBM consumers had intakes that were more in line with DRVs compared with non-PBM consumers, with higher intakes of fiber, vitamins E, A, C, and folate, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper (all P < 0.01). No differences were observed between PBM consumer groups in protein, saturated fatty acids, vitamins B12 and D, iron, potassium, iodine, and sodium intakes (all P > 0.05). Regression analyses confirmed that PBM consumption was independently associated with more favorable intakes of specific nutrients.
PBM consumers had more favorable food and nutrient intakes than nonconsumers, indicating that PBM can be part of a healthier and more plant-based diet.

PMID:
42438772
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Jul 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.