Consumption patterns of legumes, nuts and seeds among healthy adults: a cross-sectional study

Purpose Legumes and nuts are increasingly promoted as plant-based protein sources, yet detailed data on which specific products are consumed remain scarce. This study aims to assess consumption patterns of legumes, nuts and oilseeds among healthy adults. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study was conducted with 3,411 healthy adults (men n = 1,668[48.9%]; women n = 1,743[51.1%]; mean age 37.6 ± 13.9 y). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements and consumption of legumes, nuts and oilseeds were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Findings Legume consumption prevalence was higher among women (93.7%) than men (90.5%), whereas total monthly legume intake was higher in men (1,293 ± 979 g/mo) than women (1,134 ± 789 g/mo; p < 0.001). White beans were the most commonly consumed legume (86.7%), followed by red lentils (85.9%) and chickpeas (84.1%); mean chickpea intake was 246 ± 235 g/mo. Total legume intake was weakly correlated with BMI (r = 0.07 and p = 0.001) and waist circumference (r = 0.13 and p < 0.001) and differed across body mass index (BMI) categories (p = 0.010). Total nut and oilseed intake was correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.07 and p < 0.001) but not with BMI (r = 0.03 and p = 0.13) and did not differ across BMI categories (p = 0.11). All correlations explained less than 2% of the variance and are, therefore, unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Practical implications These descriptive findings may inform public health efforts to promote dietary diversity and plant-based protein intake; health and sustainability outcomes were not assessed. Originality/value This study provides item-level data on the prevalence and quantities of specific plant-based protein sources among healthy adults, including legumes consumed within traditional mixed dishes, and identifies marked sex differences.