Replacing American snacks with tree nuts increases consumption of key nutrients among US children and adults: results of an NHANES modeling study

Abstract

BackgroundReplacing typical American snacks with tree nuts may be an effective way to improve diet quality and compliance with the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs).ObjectiveTo assess and quantify the impact of replacing typical snacks with composite tree nuts or almonds on diet metrics, including empty calories (i.e., added sugars and solid fats), individual fatty acids, macronutrients, nutrients of public health concern, including sodium, fiber and potassium, and summary measures of diet quality.MethodsFood pattern modeling was implemented in the nationally representative 2009–2012 National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) in a population of 17,444 children and adults. All between-meal snacks, excluding beverages, were replaced on a per calorie basis with a weighted tree nut composite, reflecting consumption patterns in the population. Model 1 replaced all snacks with tree nuts, while Model 2 exempted whole fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains (>50% of total grain content). Additional analyses were conducted using almonds only. Outcomes of interest were empty calories (i.e., solid fats and added sugars), saturated and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, protein, sodium, potassium and magnesium. The Healthy Eating Index-2010, which measures adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, was used as a summary measure of diet quality.ResultsCompared to observed diets, modeled food patterns were significantly lower in empty calories (−20.1% and −18.7% in Model 1 and Model 2, respectively), added sugars (−17.8% and −16.9%), solid fats (−21.0% and −19.3%), saturated fat (−6.6% and −7.1%)., and sodium (−12.3% and −11.2%). Modeled patterns were higher in oils (65.3% and 55.2%), monounsaturated (35.4% and 26.9%) and polyunsaturated fats (42.0% and 35.7%), plant omega 3 s (53.1% and 44.7%), dietary fiber (11.1% and 14.8%), and magnesium (29.9% and 27.0%), and were modestly higher in potassium (1.5% and 2.9%). HEI-2010 scores were significantly higher in Model 1 (67.8) and in Model 2 (69.7) compared to observed diets (58.5). Replacing snacks with almonds only produced similar results; the decrease in sodium was more modest and no increase in plant omega-3 fats was observed.ConclusionReplacing between-meal snacks with tree nuts or almonds led to more nutrient-rich diets that were lower in empty calories and sodium and had more favorable fatty acid profiles. Food pattern modeling using NHANES data can be used to assess the likely nutritional impact of dietary guidance.

Replacing American Breakfast Foods with Ready-To-Eat (RTE) Cereals Increases Consumption of Key Food Groups and Nutrients among US Children and Adults: Results of an NHANES Modeling Study

“…Finally, we examined the impact of substitution modeling on the 2010 Healthy Eating Index [ 20 ] scores. The 2010 Healthy Eating Index (HEI 2010) measures adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans based on consumption of nine food groups/nutrients to encourage (i.e., total vegetables, dark-green and orange vegetables, total fruit, whole fruit, whole grains, total protein foods, protein from seafood and plant sources, the ratio of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, and total dairy) and three food groups/nutrients to discourage (refined grains, sodium, and a combined measure of added sugars, solid fat, and alcohol—a summary measure of empty calories).…”

“…The present study used substitution modeling to examine the contribution of RTECs to nutrient intakes and overall diet quality, in the NHANES 2007–2010 population, by age group. Following prior studies [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], we developed a new method to evaluate the nutritional impact of replacing solid foods eaten by Americans at breakfast with a composite RTEC package. The RTEC package was based on the usual patterns of RTEC consumption by different age-race groups from the NHANES database.…”

Aromas and Flavours of Fruits

“…Europe and North America are the largest nut consumer regions, accounting for almost 50% of the worldwide consumption [48]. Nuts have been a regular part of the human diet since pre-agricultural times [51] due to their nutritional value, sensory properties [49] and potential health properties [50,52], and their consumption can reduce cardiovascular disease risk, the incidence of cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus [53], as well as obesity and ageing effects [54].…”

Almond allergens: update and perspective on identification and characterization

“…6 On the one hand, tree nuts are recommended for consumption and are regarded as healthy food. 7 On the other hand, tree nuts, peanut, milk, egg, (crustacean) shellfish, wheat, soy and fish constitute the so-called Big Eight food groups that are responsible for more than 90% of the allergy cases in the USA. 8 Although milk and egg allergies are generally mild and transient, peanut and tree nut allergies are persistent and often severe and lifethreatening.…”