Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Master's program

Protein is an essential nutrient in any healthy diet - it supports muscle growth, immune function, and overall well-being. Canada’s Food Guide now encourages people to choose plant-based protein foods more often, such as beans, lentils, and nuts. This shift reflects growing awareness of the health and environmental benefits of plant-forward eating. As a result, Canadians have a wider variety of protein options in stores and restaurants now than ever before. Yet despite this growing availability, we still lack a straightforward way to measure people’s day-to-day protein intake. Many existing tools are difficult to use, time-consuming, or designed for people with certain medical conditions, leaving both the general public and researchers lacking a quick and reliable way to assess everyday protein intake. To solve this issue, our research will test a new, easy-to-use survey called the Protein Foods Screener. This short screener asks specific questions about both the amount and types of protein people eat. To confirm its accuracy, we will compare screener results with a trusted dietary method where participants list all the foods they ate the previous day. Our study will include 2000 Canadian adults aged 19 and older with different eating styles, including vegetarians and individuals who consume both plant- and animal-derived foods, to ensure the tool works well for everyone. The Protein Food Screener is expected to make it easier to track the amount and types of protein Canadians consume and adherence to Canada’s Food Guide recommendations. This knowledge will help public health experts, policymakers, and food producers understand current eating habits, support healthier and more sustainable food practices, and design programs and policies that benefit all Canadians.