Newsweek Opinion Column
By Tim D. McGreevy
Farmer and CEO of USA Pulses
As the U.S. prepares to update its dietary guidelines for Americans, our nation has a chance to make one of the most transformative public health decisions in a generation—by putting a humble, homegrown food at the center of the plate.
Pulses—beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas—have been grown by American farmers for generations, cost less than $2 a pound and have the power to prevent thousands of deaths each year. Despite their remarkable health benefits, the current dietary guidelines recommend eating less of them than nearly any other vegetable.
That’s not just a missed opportunity for public health—it’s a missed opportunity for America’s farmers. Updating the guidelines to reflect the science could expand a domestic market for pulses, strengthening rural economies while helping millions of Americans eat better and live longer.