Americans Eat 25 Percent More Nuts

In a recent report, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) analyzed the source of calories in the American diet during the 10-year period between 2000 and 2010. The report divided 215 food commodities into 10 groups—such as plant-based protein and grains—and those groups were subdivided into six plant-based and four animal-based foods categories. The USDA found that while the source of calories in the American diet remained fairly consistent throughout the 10-year period, several categories exhibited a large change. Americans drew 11 percent fewer calories from the added sugar and sweetener category and ate more kale and sweet potatoes per capita. The largest change was found in the consumption of nuts as a plant-based protein, which rose by 25 percent during the study period. Year-end predictions from multiple reputable sources show that the trend of greater availability and consumption of plant-based protein will continue in 2017 and beyond.