Trends in Availability and Nutritional Profile of Meat-Based Versus Meat-Free Menu Items in 75 Large Chain Restaurants in the United States, 2013-2021.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Chain restaurants are ubiquitous in the U.S. While restaurants are increasingly promoting health- and climate-conscious menu options, few studies have examined whether restaurants are increasing availability of menu items with lower climate impact and whether these offerings are healthier. This study examines trends in the availability and nutritional profile of food items featuring different meat sources on menus at 75 large chain restaurants in the U.S. from 2013 to 2021.

Methods

Longitudinal data on menu items from 75 large U.S. chain restaurants from 2013 to 2021 were obtained from MenuStat.org, an online database of menu items from the largest-grossing restaurant chains in the U.S. Annual counts and proportions of food items featuring different meat sources

SUBMITTER: Tucker AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11757062 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature