Rice and beans: the nutritious, sustainable and affordable staple of the Brazilian diet

Abstract Objective: This study evaluated the consumption of rice and beans in Brazil, two staples of the Brazilian diet, by describing their consumption according to sociodemographic characteristics and assessing its association with nutritional quality, environmental impact, and affordability of the diet. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Brazil. Participants: We analysed food consumption data from 46,164 individuals aged 10 years and older, based on the most recent Household Budget Survey (2017–2018) in Brazil. The survey used a two-stage cluster sampling design and provides nationally representative data, covering all regions, states, metropolitan areas, capitals, and urban and rural zones in Brazil. Results: In Brazil, rice and beans accounted for 10.75% and 6.33% of total daily energy intake, respectively. Their consumption was important across all sociodemographic groups analysed. Rice and beans intake was associated with nutritional quality, reduced environmental impact, and lower diet costs. Higher combined consumption of rice and beans was associated with a 44.49% reduction in nutritional inadequacies in the diet, a 17.64% decrease in carbon footprint, a 21.05% decrease in water footprint, and a 38.03% reduction in total diet cost, compared to lower consumption. Conclusions: Promoting increased consumption of rice and beans in Brazil offers a culturally appropriate solution in response to the global call for healthier and more sustainable diets, and is the most effective approach to improve human health and environmental sustainability in an affordable way in Brazil.