In an age where greater care and attention is given to our food choices, lean pork stands out for its high-quality, protein-packed content and a positive contributor to overall health. What’s more, pork’s story is even more impressive when you consider its low environmental footprint, unique fit in a range of modern diets and lifestyles, and the fact that it is accessible and affordable. Including pork in one’s diet is a simple and delicious way to eat healthier.
For those of us in the industry, we are keenly aware of pork’s nutritional superpowers. Now, the renewed national focus on the correlation between what Americans eat and how it impacts our overall wellbeing creates a timely opening for our industry to highlight the proven health benefits of eating pork.
When it comes to policy decisions, it is vital that regulators and policymakers follow science on any recommendations regarding the wellbeing of the nation. This is particularly important with continued calls to replace animal proteins in Americans’ diets with plant-based alternatives. These calls are frequently rooted in emotion and not driven by nutritional science. Ongoing debates over the Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlight this struggle between inclusion of authentic protein over plant-based alternatives. While a balanced diet is essential, numerous studies have shown the quality of protein from animal-based sources far exceeds that found in plant-based foods.
Science demonstrates that animal protein provides a complete amino acid profile, including readily absorbable forms of iron and B12, key nutrients that plant-based alternatives lack. Removing animal proteins from our diet would result in a nutritional gap that plant-based foods cannot fill. In fact, current nutritional science supports the critical need for meat in a healthy diet, rather than the reduction of it.
Also in the food policy space, the unveiling of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report in May underscored the need for education and sound science in food policy discussions. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is continuing to make every effort to ensure regulators understand not only the healthfulness of eating pork but also the well-established and safe tools and inputs producers need to raise healthy pigs.
Lean pork is a heart-healthy protein choice that is versatile, flavorful, affordable, and is protein-packed with essential nutrients. Pork is the number one most consumed meat in the world, in part, because it’s nutritious. This is the message we need to continue to spread and push back on nutrition advice that lacks science-backed facts of pork’s health benefits. America’s pork producers will continue to support human health and nutrition policies that ensure the availability of safe, wholesome, and nutritious protein for all Americans — and will do so with science on our side.
Ashley Johnson is the food policy director for NPPC.
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