PD148 - MEETING PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS DURING THE TRANSITION TO MORE PLANT-BASED NUTRITION IN CLINICAL CARE: A SCOPING REVIEW WITH EXPERT CONSENSUS

PD148

MEETING PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS DURING THE TRANSITION TO MORE PLANT-BASED NUTRITION IN CLINICAL CARE: A SCOPING REVIEW WITH EXPERT CONSENSUS

J. van Wijngaarden^1,2,*, J. Domić³, M. G. van den Berg⁴, P. Grootswagers³, H. Jager - Wittenaar^4,5, A. Kok⁶, I. W. Kouw^3,7, H. M. Kruizenga⁸, L. J. van Loon⁹, G. K. Pot¹, M. R. Soeters¹⁰, S. C. Verbruggen¹¹, P. J. Weijs^8,12, A. R. van Zanten^3,7

¹Nutrition & Healthcare Alliance, Gelderse Vallei Hospital, Ede, ²Dutch Association of Hospitals (NVZ), Utrecht, ³Division of Human Nutrition & Health, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, ⁴Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dietetics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, ⁵Research Group Healthy Ageing, Allied Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, ⁶Department of Dietetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, ⁷Department of Intensive Care Medicine & Research, Gelderse Vallei Hospital, Ede, ⁸Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, ⁹NUTRIM Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, ¹⁰Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, ¹¹department of Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, ¹²Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health, Sport and Physical Activity, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Rationale: Adequate protein intake is essential for preserving muscle mass, supporting recovery, and maintaining immune function. The transition to a more plant-based diet, while generally beneficial for health and environmental sustainability, poses challenges for patients. Plant-based proteins often have lower digestibility, suboptimal amino acid profiles compared to animal proteins, and reduced anabolic potential, which is critical for patients. This knowledge synthesis focuses on the hospital and rehabilitation setting, and consolidates scientific literature, guidelines and expert opinions to:

        - Characterise protein requirements and current protein intake

        - Evaluate feasibility, acceptability, digestibility, and nutritional adequacy of plant-based proteins for patients

        - Provide expert-informed recommendations on possibilities and limitations for more plant-based diets for patients without compromising nutritional adequacy

        - Identify knowledge gaps and research priorities

Methods: An expert panel (n=12), including scientific and clinical specialists in protein requirements, protein metabolism, and clinical nutrition, formed a consortium. The consortium activities comprise the conduction of a scoping literature review on the set objectives, structured interviews and questionnaires with the experts, an expert consensus meeting, and validation through a broader stakeholder group.

Results: We will deliver and present at the ESPEN conference an expert-informed framework outlining the current knowledge base, possibilities and limitations for clinically feasible and safe strategies for the shift towards a more plant-based diet for patients, and provide implementation guidance for clinicians, dietitians, and policy makers. 

Conclusion: Our conclusions will substantiate implementation in hospital and rehabilitation settings, bridging sustainability with optimal clinical nutrition care.

Disclosure of Interest: J. van Wijngaarden: None declared, J. Domić: None declared, M. van den Berg Grant / Research Support from: Fresenius Kabi, P. Grootswagers: None declared, H. Jager - Wittenaar Grant / Research Support from: Danone Nutricia, Avebe, Fresenius Kabi, A. Kok: None declared, I. Kouw: None declared, H. Kruizenga: None declared, L. van Loon Grant / Research Support from: LJCvL has received research grants, consulting fees, speaking honoraria, or a combination of these for research on the impact of exercise and nutrition on muscle metabolism. A full overview on research funding is provided at: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/l.vanloon, G. Pot: None declared, M. Soeters: None declared, S. Verbruggen Grant / Research Support from: Danone Nutricia, P. Weijs Grant / Research Support from: Danone Nutricia, A. van Zanten Grant / Research Support from: Abbott, Baxter, Bbraun, Cardinal Health, Dutch Medical Food, Fresenius Kabi, GE-healthcare, Nestlé Health Science, Danone Nutricia, Rousselot