Legume and lentil consumption patterns in US adults
What it found
In US adults, legume consumption stayed low and fell between 2011 and 2014, and fewer than 5% ate legumes daily in a 2017 survey.
Lentil intake increased over time in the national survey.
What they found
Studies in people
Legume consumption fell
In the national survey, the share of US adults eating legumes on a given day fell from 18.5% in 2011 to 13.7% in 2014. Dry bean consumption dropped from 10.0% to 6.5%.
Daily legume eating rare
In the 2017 Oregon survey, less than 5% of people ate legumes every day. About one-third had not eaten any legumes in the last month.
Lentils and chickpeas
In the national survey, about 1% of people ate lentils or chickpeas on any given day. Lentil intake was the only legume group that increased between 2011 and 2014.
Who ate more legumes
People of Mexican and other Hispanic descent had the highest share of legume consumers. Legume eaters took in more calories than non-eaters.
How legumes were eaten
Legumes were mostly eaten as a side dish or main dish, usually dry beans and green legumes. Soups, dips and salads were less common, and breakfast items, baked goods, snacks and desserts were rarely a source.
Variety by amount
People who ate more mature legumes ate a wider variety. Those eating beneficial amounts added lentils to their diet, while those eating recommended amounts added chickpeas.
What the authors conclude
“Our data suggest that legume consumption declined in US adults, warranting improved communication about the benefits of regular legume consumption.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say regular legume consumption is low in US adults and the current level is unlikely to give nutritional and health benefits.
- They recommend that future legume information materials highlight the specific disease prevention benefits of legumes and how to prevent stomach and gut discomfort.
- They also recommend featuring the variety of legume types and dishes, with their flavors, textures and preparation methods.
How it was done
The authors thought that because more health benefits of regular legume eating had been published in the last 15 years, US adults might be eating more legumes than before.
They looked at food records from US adults in the 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, and ran a 2017 online survey of Oregon families. The online survey was sent to 949 email addresses and 143 surveys were included in the analysis.
What it can’t tell you
- The national survey is cross-sectional, so it can show links but not cause and effect.
- Two days of food records do not show a person's usual diet over time.
- The Oregon survey was a small online group of families interested in nutrition, so its results may not apply to everyone.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflict of interest.
- Authors work at
- Oregon State University, USA
The paper
- Title
- Legume Consumption Patterns in US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 and Beans, Lentils, Peas (BLP) 2017 Survey
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Perera T, Russo C, Takata Y, Bobe G (2020). Legume Consumption Patterns in US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 and Beans, Lentils, Peas (BLP) 2017 Survey. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu12051237Free full textPubMed 32349355DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error