What are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the accompanying MyPlate food guidance system recommendations concerning intake of high-protein foods?

Answer 1

The Institute of Medicine's Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges recommend that you consume 10 to 35 percent of your energy as protein. The Guidelines specifically encourage a range of intakes from fat-free or low-fat milk, lean meats, eggs, fish, nuts/seeds, and legumes to support optimal health. These food groups represent nutrient-dense, high-protein foods. More specifically, the Food Patterns and MyPlate recommend 1 to 6 ounces of lean meat and two to three cups of fat-free or low-fat dairy products daily, depending on caloric needs and whether you tend to choose foods that align most closely to a US-style, Mediterranean-style, or vegetarian eating pattern. Periodic consumption of legumes, such as dried beans and peas, is also encouraged. Note that three ounces of lean meat is generally equivalent to a small steak, lean hamburger patty, chicken breast, or a piece of fish. Portions of meat served in restaurants and cafeterias are often much larger than this. To determine precisely how many servings are recommended for you, visit the MyPlate website (http://www.choosemyplate.gov).