Researchers surveyed 398 young adults in Saudi Arabia (ages 18-25) to understand how much plant-based protein they eat compared to animal protein. They found that young Saudis eat about half as much plant protein as animal protein each week. Interestingly, those who ate more plant-based foods had lower body weights and were more interested in eating sustainably. However, most young people weren’t thinking about switching to more plant-based diets yet. The study suggests that helping young Arabs understand the health benefits of plant proteins—while respecting their traditional food preferences—could help them eat healthier.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How much plant-based protein (like beans, nuts, and plant-based meat alternatives) young Saudis eat each week and whether eating more of it connects to better health and interest in sustainable eating.
  • Who participated: 398 Saudi adults between ages 18-25 who volunteered to fill out an online survey about their eating habits. The group was recruited through social networks rather than random selection, so it may not represent all young Saudis.
  • Key finding: Young Saudis eat about 14 portions of plant-based protein per week, but eat twice as much animal protein (28 portions per week). Only about 1 in 5 young people ate high amounts of plant-based protein. Those who did eat more plant protein tended to weigh less and care more about eating sustainably.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a young person in Saudi Arabia or similar cultures, eating more plant-based proteins may help you maintain a healthier weight and support environmental goals. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that plant protein causes weight loss. Talk to a doctor or nutritionist before making major diet changes.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of young Saudis’ eating habits at one point in time by asking them to complete an online survey. Participants answered questions about how often they ate plant-based proteins (like lentils, chickpeas, nuts, and plant-based meat products) and animal proteins (like chicken, beef, and fish) each week. They also answered questions about their interest in sustainable eating and whether they were thinking about changing their diet.

The researchers divided participants into three groups based on how much plant protein they ate: low (0-7 portions per week), moderate (8-21 portions per week), and high (22 or more portions per week). They then compared health measurements like body weight and interest in sustainable eating across these groups using statistical tests.

This type of study is useful for understanding eating patterns in a specific population and spotting connections between diet and health. However, because it’s a snapshot rather than following people over time, researchers can’t prove that eating more plant protein causes weight loss—only that these two things seem to go together. This study is important because very little research has looked at plant-based eating among young Arabs, even though this region has a large young population and growing environmental awareness.

Strengths: The study used validated survey tools (tested and proven to be reliable) and included a reasonable sample size of 398 people. Weaknesses: The participants were recruited through social networks rather than random selection, which means the group might not represent all young Saudis. The study relied on people’s memory of what they ate rather than measuring actual food intake. The cross-sectional design means we can’t determine cause and effect—we only know these factors are associated.

What the Results Show

The most striking finding was that young Saudis eat significantly less plant-based protein than animal-based protein. The typical participant ate about 14 portions of plant protein per week (with half eating between 7-24 portions), compared to 28 portions of animal protein per week (with half eating between 21-35 portions). This means animal protein consumption was roughly double that of plant protein.

Only about 21% of young people in the study ate high amounts of plant-based protein (22 or more portions per week). This suggests that plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, nuts, and plant-based meat alternatives are not yet a major part of typical eating patterns for this age group.

Young people who ate more plant-based protein had lower average body weights. Those eating high amounts of plant protein had an average BMI of 23.19, while those eating low amounts had a BMI of 24.57 (BMI is a measure of body weight relative to height). While this difference might seem small, it was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to be due to chance.

Participants who ate more plant-based protein also showed greater engagement in sustainable eating behaviors—meaning they were more likely to think about environmental impact when choosing food. However, environmental concerns were still relatively low overall, with only 4.9-7.1% of participants citing environmental reasons for their food choices.

An important finding was that most young Saudis (83.2%) were not actively considering switching to plant-based diets. They were either not thinking about it at all (precontemplation stage) or just beginning to think about it (contemplation stage). Less than 35% were ready to take action or had already made changes. This suggests that awareness and motivation for plant-based eating remain limited in this population, despite growing global interest in sustainable diets.

This study adds new information about a region where plant-based eating research is scarce. Previous studies in other countries have shown similar patterns—that young adults often eat less plant protein than animal protein, and that higher plant protein intake is associated with lower body weights. However, the specific cultural context of Saudi Arabia, where traditional diets emphasize meat and dairy, makes this research particularly valuable for understanding how global dietary trends are adopted in the Middle East.

The biggest limitation is that participants were recruited through social networks rather than randomly selected, so they may not represent all young Saudis. People who volunteer for diet studies might already be more interested in health than the general population. The study asked people to remember and report what they ate rather than measuring actual food intake, which can be inaccurate. Because this is a snapshot in time, we can’t prove that eating more plant protein causes lower body weight—only that these two things are connected. Finally, the study measured how often people ate plant proteins but didn’t measure whether they were actually getting enough protein or other nutrients.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, young adults in Saudi Arabia and similar cultures may benefit from gradually increasing plant-based protein intake as part of a balanced diet. This could include adding more lentils, chickpeas, beans, nuts, and seeds to traditional meals. However, this is a moderate-strength recommendation based on one study showing associations rather than proof of benefit. Anyone making significant dietary changes should consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian, especially if they have health conditions or take medications. Respect for traditional food practices is important—the goal is to add plant proteins alongside, not necessarily replace, traditional foods.

This research is most relevant to young adults (18-25) in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries with similar food cultures. It’s also relevant to parents, educators, and health professionals working with this age group. The findings may also interest people interested in sustainable eating or environmental impact of food choices. However, this study doesn’t apply to young children, older adults, or people with certain medical conditions that require specific protein sources—they should follow personalized medical advice.

If you increase plant-based protein intake, you might notice changes in how you feel within a few weeks (more energy, better digestion). Changes in body weight typically take 8-12 weeks to become noticeable, and sustainable changes usually develop over several months as new eating habits become routine. Don’t expect overnight results—gradual changes are more likely to stick.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly portions of plant-based proteins consumed (beans, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, plant-based meat alternatives) and compare to animal protein portions. Set a goal to gradually increase plant-based portions from current intake toward a 1:1 ratio with animal protein over 8-12 weeks.
  • Start by adding one plant-based protein source to meals you already eat. For example: add chickpeas to rice dishes, sprinkle nuts on salads, or swap one meat-based meal per week for a lentil-based dish. Use the app to log these additions and celebrate small wins to build momentum.
  • Weekly check-ins on plant-based protein portions consumed, monthly tracking of body weight (if relevant to your goals), and quarterly reflection on whether sustainable eating feels more important to you. Use the app to identify patterns—which plant-based proteins do you enjoy most? When are you most likely to eat them?

This research shows associations between plant-based protein consumption and lower body weight, but does not prove that eating more plant protein causes weight loss. This study was conducted on a convenience sample of young Saudis and may not apply to all populations. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have health conditions, take medications, have food allergies, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, activity level, health status, and other factors.