The Initial Dietary Pattern Should Be Considered when Changing Protein Food Portion Sizes to Increase Nutrient Adequacy in French Adults

Patterns of protein food intake are undergoing a transition in Western countries, but little is known about how dietary changes to protein intake affect nutrient adequacy of the diet. Our objective was to identify simple modifications to protein food intake that can gradually increase overall nutrient adequacy. We identified patterns of dietary protein intake in 1678 adults from a representative French national dietary survey. For each individual, we identified the increase in portion size of 1 protein food paired with a decrease in the portion size of another protein food that would best increase nutrient adequacy (using PANDiet probabilistic scoring). Then, such an optimum simple dual change was iterated 20 times for each individual according to 2 scenarios, either by manipulating the intake of foods already consumed [scenario 1 (S1)] or by enabling the introduction of foods consumed by >10% of individuals with the same protein pattern [scenario 2 (S2)]. The optimum stepwise changes to protein intake primarily consisted of reducing portions of deli meats (both scenarios), sandwiches, and cheese (S2), while increasing portions of fatty fish and lean poultry (both scenarios) and legumes (S2). However, these changes differed depending on the initial dietary protein pattern of the individual. For example, in S2, legume intake increased among “poultry” and “fish” eaters only and low-fat meat among “take-away eaters” and “milk drinkers” only. The improvements in overall nutrient adequacy were similar among the different initial dietary patterns, but this was the result of changes to the adequacy of different specific nutrients. Beyond generic changes to protein intake in the entire French adult population, the initial dietary protein pattern is key to identifying the food groups most likely to improve overall nutrient adequacy and the profile of nutrients whose adequacy can easily be increased.