There has been research showing healthier outcomes from those eating predominantly plant-based diets. That means: less meat than what most Americans have been e

There has been research showing healthier outcomes from those eating predominantly plant-based diets. That means: less meat than what most Americans have been eating. However, when in 1977, such guidelines were introduced with "less meat", the meat industry pushed back hard [1, see history of DGA '77], which prompted a revised 2nd edition. This revised 2nd edition dropped less meat and instead focused on nutrient composition ("leaner meats, less fats"). So the politics of food science won't let the government publish "less meat, more vegetables" type of research. Instead, it's veiled in micronutrient suggestions. THen people go and buy vitamin supplements to hit the targets, instead of eating the damn dark leafy greens. [1] http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/gen/DGA.pdf http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/gen/DGA.pdf