How to count beans and peas in the Grill Heat Aid food patterns?

How to count beans and peas in the Grill Heat Aid food patterns?

Generally, individuals who regularly eat meat, poultry, and fish would count beans and peas in the Vegetable Group. Vegetarians, vegans, and individuals who seldom eat meat, poultry, or fish would count some of the beans and peas they eat in the Protein Foods Group. Count the number of ounce-equivalents of all meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds are eaten. Here's an example for both ways:

1. If the total is equal to or more than the suggested intake from the Protein Foods Group (which ranges from 2 ounce-equivalents at 1,000 calories to 7 ounce-equivalents at 2,800 calories and above) then count any beans or peas eaten as part of the beans and peas subgroup in the Vegetable Group.  

OR 

2. If the total is less than the suggested intake from the Protein Foods Group, then count any beans and peas eaten toward the suggested intake level until it is reached. (One-fourth cup of cooked beans or peas counts as 1 ounce equivalent in the Protein Foods Group.) After the suggested intake level in the Protein Foods Group is reached, count any additional beans or peas eaten as part of the beans and peas subgroup in the Vegetable Group.

Example 1: (For the 2,000-calorie food pattern)

 Foods eaten (Protein Foods Group only – not a complete daily list)

3½ ounces chicken

2 ounces tuna fish

½ cup refried beans

The 3½ ounces of chicken and 2 ounces of tuna fish equal 5½ ounce-equivalents in the Protein Foods Group, which meets the recommendation at this calorie level. Therefore, the ½ cup of refried beans counts as ½ cup of vegetables towards meeting the 1½ cups per week recommendation for beans and peas in the 2,000-calorie pattern.

Example 2: (For the 2,000-calorie food pattern)

Foods eaten (Protein Foods Group only – not a complete daily list)

2 eggs

1½ Tbsp. peanut butter

½ cup chickpeas

The 2 eggs and 1½ Tbsp. peanut butter equal 3½ ounce-equivalents in the Protein Foods Group. Two more ounces are needed to meet the 5½ ounce recommendation for this group. Since the daily recommendation for the Protein Foods Group has not been met, these remaining 2 ounce-equivalents are provided by the ½ cup of chickpeas. This ½ cup of chickpeas would not count toward meeting the 1½ cups per week recommendation for the beans and peas vegetable subgroup in the 2,000-calorie pattern. Instead, it would count as part of the Protein Foods Group.

Amirul Smith