Legume Use in Australia: Insights Into Behaviours, Attitudes, and Consumption Patterns

Nina A Wilson; Nicole Scannell; Anthony Villani; Evangeline Mantzioris

doi:10.1111/jhn.70279

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Legume Use in Australia: Insights Into Behaviours, Attitudes, and Consumption Patterns

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Legume Use in Australia: Insights Into Behaviours, Attitudes, and Consumption Patterns

Nina A Wilson, Nicole Scannell, Anthony Villani and Evangeline Mantzioris

Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Vol.39(3), pp.1-11

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.70279

PMID: 42163579

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Abstract

barriers

beans

consumption

legumes

motivators

Introduction The benefits of regular legume consumption on health are well recognised. However, previous data has shown that intake amongst Australian adults is suboptimal and it is unknown whether intake has increased with the introduction of new legume products. This study aimed to quantify the type, frequency, and potential barriers and motivators toward legume consumption in Australian adults. Methods An online survey tool, including questions related to the types of legumes and legume-based products preferentially consumed, frequency of their intake, and barriers and motivators toward consumption was used. Results A total of n = 437 participants completed the survey (47.7 ± 15.4 years; BMI: 25.3 ± 5.0 kg/m2). Canned legumes (n = 400; 91.5%), legume-based dips (n = 400; 91.5%), and fresh legumes (n = 392; 89.7%) were amongst the most frequently consumed legume types. Chickpeas (n = 206; 47.1), lentils (n = 109; 24.9%), and peas (n = 92; 21.1%) were the most frequently consumed legume types. Taste preferences (n = 194; 48.4%), meat alternative protein options (n = 187; 46.6%), health (n = 171; 42.6%), and nutritional benefits (n = 138; 34.4%) were major motivators toward consumption. In contrast, not being a key component of the habitual diet (n = 82; 18.8%) and the potential to trigger gut-related symptoms (n = 15; 18.3%) were identified as key barriers. Conclusion While key motivators for legume consumption were identified in this sample, barriers must still be addressed through food innovation and clear dietary recommendations to support optimal health.

Details

Title: Legume Use in Australia: Insights Into Behaviours, Attitudes, and Consumption Patterns
Authors: Nina A Wilson - Adelaide University
Nicole Scannell - University of the Sunshine Coast
Anthony Villani - University of the Sunshine Coast
Evangeline Mantzioris (Corresponding Author) - Adelaide University
Publication details: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Vol.39(3), pp.1-11
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1111/jhn.70279
ISSN: 1365-277X
PMID: 42163579
Copyright note: © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Dietetic Association. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Data Availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991231325902621
Output Type: Journal article

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