Pistachios join in as substitute for animal proteins

Join the ranks of a small number of plant proteins such as quinoa, chickpeas, and soybeans that have become popular among vegetarians

A new analysis shows U.S. grown roasted pistachios meet the generally accepted definition as a “complete protein,” meaning they join the ranks of a small number of plant proteins such as quinoa, chickpeas, and soybeans that have become popular among vegetarians and consumers who wish to move away from animal proteins.  The findings were announced to pistachio growers at the American Pistachio Growers Annual Conference in Monterey, California on March 03, 2020.

Pistachios qualify as a source of protein and the Food and Drug Administration defines a complete protein as a food that contains “all of the essential amino acids in adequate amounts.” Adequate levels of all nine essential amino acids are shown to be present in roasted pistachios, based on a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) for pistachios, which was presented at the Federation of European Nutrition Societies (FENS) Conference in Dublin, Ireland on October 17, 2019. Roasted pistachios have a PDCAAS of 81 percent and 80 percent of casein, the protein found in milk, meets the USDA definition as an alternate source of protein for school meals. 

“While we’ve always known nuts contain protein, we now know roasted pistachios with all nine amino acids in these amounts are a complete protein,” said Nigel Mitchell, BSC, MSC, RD, author of The Plant Based Cyclist and nutritionist for multiple pro and British national sports teams.   “This is great news, especially for active adults and athletes who would want a complete protein that’s portable and doesn’t require cooking. As such, roasted pistachios usefully contribute to the varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle that’s so important for good health.”    In Europe, pistachios meet the threshold for a source of protein. 

Nearly all complete proteins come from meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.  Soy is a plant-based protein cited by the FDA as a complete protein.

“Amino acids are the 20 building blocks of protein but nine ‘essential’ amino acids are not produced by the human body, so they must be obtained in food,” explained Dr. Arianna Carughi, Science Advisor to American Pistachio Growers, the trade association for the U.S. pistachio industry.  “The vast majority of plant-based foods are ‘incomplete’ proteins, so they are deficient in one or more of the essential amino acids; however, combining two complete proteins at once or, within a day, creates a complete protein.  Roasted pistachios can now be considered a complete protein source for those who are over five years old.”