WHAT IS THE RDA FOR PROTEIN, AND IS IT ADEQUATE?
By Robert Wolfe, PhD & David Church

he Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is "the average daily dietary intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals in a group." However, that definition does not match the term. The RDA is neither a "recommendation" nor an "allowance," but rather a "minimal intake amount." The RDA for protein (0.8g/kg/d) is based on analysis of nitrogen balance studies. Therefore, the RDA for protein is the amount of protein needed to avoid a negative nitrogen balance. This criterion creates two primary problems: (1) a misunderstanding of what the term actually means, and (2) the RDA for protein is not based on a health outcome.

Dive into this article to learn more about the RDA for protein.

REQUIREMENTS FOR LABELING FOODS AS PROTEIN SOURCES
By James House, PhD

Current dietary guidelines, including those in Canada and the United States, have advocated for the inclusion of more plant protein in the diet, but the ways protein content is measured varies. While countries in the European Union and United Kingdom base protein content claims on protein content relative to energy content, Canada and the United States use a system based on rodent growth bioassays.

Read the full article to learn more about the current protein rating systems and the attempts to modernize the process. Click here to view an infographic outlining how PDCAAS and DIAAS are used to classify foods as "good" or "excellent" sources of protein.

CONSUMER MOTIVATION FOR ADDING PROTEIN TO THE DIET
By Joy Blakeslee, RDN

Consumer desire for protein (plant and animal) continues to trend upwards. According to new research from the International Food Information Council (IFIC), protein is the #1 nutrient consumers say they "try to consume," ranking higher than Vitamin D, Vitamin C, fiber, and calcium.

Why do consumers continue to prioritize protein consumption? Read the full article to find out more.

SPICY TOFU SALAD

SHARE YOUR RECIPE WITH SOY CONNECTION

Do you have a soy-starring recipe you'd like to see featured in the Soy Connection newsletter? Send the recipe and a photo to us! We will highlight one reader and their submitted recipe in each issue. Let's see ​what delicious and nutritious soy recipes you have!

Click here to submit your recipe.

2022 marks 30 years of the Soy Connection newsletter, and we want to celebrate this milestone with you!

We are giving away Apple Airpods (2nd Generation) with each issue of the newsletter this year. One winner will be drawn in conjunction with each newsletter issue in 2022. You must submit a new entry for each newsletter to be eligible to win.

Congratulations to our second giveaway winner! Christopher Chau, RDN from California won the second pair of Apple Airpods.
Will you be next?

* Soy Connection is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR Credentialed Practitioners will receive 1.0 Continuing Professional Education unit (CPEU) for reading the articles and taking and passing a test.

The Soy Connection, funded by farmer checkoff dollars, is produced by U.S. Soy and Soy Nutrition Institute (SNI) Global. Content reviewed and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture and this professional journal.

Connect With Us