(NewsNation) — When Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. initially planned on releasing Dietary Guidelines for Americans, one of his focuses was supposed to elevate beans, lentils, and peas to proteins rather than vegetables in an effort to encourage plant-based protein sources.
However, RFK has switched gears. Kennedy Jr. is likely to ditch the recommendation to encourage Americans to eat more beans, according to a report. This comes after he ghosted the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee that drafts the DGA.
“No one will tell us the name of a person who’s working on it,” said Christopher Gardner, a member of the DGAC. “It’s a black box. We have no idea.”
Beans were expected to be a crucial part of the guidelines after the DGAC’s 2024 report concluded that Americans fell short on more than protein, and as the bean market rose by 30%.
“There might be a few people who are short on protein,” Gardner added.
“And three-quarters of the population is short on fiber. When they go for the meat, they’re getting no fiber.”
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are provided in a collaborative effort by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services. It is required by federal law for an updated version to be released every five years.