Defining Beef and Meal Frequency as Key Components of a Healthy Eating Pattern for Muscle Health and Wellbeing

Summary

Adopting a healthy eating pattern is important for meeting dietary recommendations and weight management. Although less clear, it seems reasonable to assume that the eating patterns we typically follow can also affect our psychological wellbeing. As such, healthy eating patterns are often adapted to suit one's personal preference. For example, many people choose to follow a vegetarian-style eating pattern whereby meat, poultry, and seafood are excluded from the diet. However, current research suggests that vegetarian eating patterns may result in decreased synthesis of new muscle proteins when compared to the typical meat-based US-style diet. This ultimately leads to reduced muscle quality and mass which increases the risk of dependence and mobility limitations later in life.

Another important factor to consider when adapting a healthy eating pattern is the frequency and distribution of meals throughout the day. In the US, protein intake is typically skewed throughout the day such that people consume more protein at dinner when compared to breakfast. This skewed distribution combined with a low meal frequency (3 meals per day) can also sacrifice the rate of muscle protein synthesis. As such, it is important to investigate the interaction between food choices, meal frequency, and protein distribution to promote muscle health and prevent development of disease and disability. In addition, it is also important to understand how these eating patterns affect enjoyment and pleasure following meals. This work will help to determine healthy eating patterns that promote muscle health and psychological wellbeing.

Conditions

• Meal Frequency
• Dietary Habits
• Muscle Protein Synthesis

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Animal-based Protein Foods

Participants will consume animal-based protein foods.

BEHAVIORAL

Skewed Protein Distribution

Participants will consume 3 meals per day consisting of 10-, 30-, 60% of dietary protein for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively.

BEHAVIORAL

Plant-based Protein Foods

Participants will consume plant-based protein foods.

BEHAVIORAL

Balanced Protein Distribution

Participants will consume 5 meals per day consisting of 20% of dietary protein per meal.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Cattlemen's Beef Association

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nicholas A Burd, PhD · University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-06-01

Primary Completion

2024-03-14

Completion

2024-03-14

Countries

• United States

Study Locations