BMC Nutrition is calling for submissions to our Collection on food policies in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), focusing on their role in enhancing food security and nutrition. This Collection aims to explore the development and implementation of effective food policies that can foster sustainable agricultural practices, enhance trade, and ultimately contribute to the health and well-being of populations in LMICs. By supporting innovative research, we aim to contribute to the global discourse on effective solutions to combat hunger and improve nutritional outcomes.

Food policies play a critical role in addressing the unique challenges faced by LMICs in achieving food security and improving nutritional outcomes. These nations often grapple with a complex interplay of economic, social, and environmental factors that impact food access, availability, and affordability. The significance of robust food policies in LMICs is underscored by recent advancements in understanding the links between nutrition, health, and economic development. As countries confront rising global hunger and malnutrition, innovative policy interventions are being crafted to address these pressing issues. Research has highlighted successful strategies for improving food access and fostering sustainable agricultural practices, demonstrating that comprehensive food policies can serve as a catalyst for positive change in these regions.

Continued research in this field holds the promise of uncovering new insights and strategies that can further enhance food security and nutrition in LMICs. Future advancements may include more integrated approaches that combine agricultural, trade, and health policies, as well as the development of context-specific interventions that address local challenges. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and communities, we can work towards more resilient food systems that support sustainable development.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

- Evaluating food policy interventions in LMICs

- Sustainable agriculture practices for food security

- Trade policy impacts on nutrition and food access

- Economic development and its role in food security

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

The shift towards plant-based diets has gained significant momentum in recent years, driven by a growing awareness of health, environmental sustainability, and ethical considerations. This Collection seeks to explore the latest research findings on plant-based nutrition, examining its implications for human health and the planet. As more individuals adopt vegetarian (excluding all animal flesh such as meat, fish, and other aquatic animals and including lacto-ovo-, ovo-, and lacto-vegetarian diets) and vegan (excluding foods of animal origin such as meat, fish, other aquatic animals, eggs, dairy products, and honey) lifestyles, understanding the nutritional adequacy, potential health benefits, and barriers to these diets becomes increasingly relevant for researchers and public health professionals alike.

Research in this field has illuminated the potential advantages of plant-based diets, including reduced risks of chronic diseases, improved dietary quality, and a lower carbon footprint. Advances in nutritional epidemiology, including controlled dietary interventions, have provided insights into the relationship between plant-based nutrition and health outcomes, as well as the role of alternative proteins (e.g., legume-based products, meat alternatives, mycoprotein) in meeting dietary needs. As public interest in sustainable diets continues to rise, the importance of disseminating sound scientific evidence to guide consumers, healthcare providers, and policymakers is paramount.

Continued research in plant-based nutrition could pave the way for innovative dietary guidelines and interventions that promote not only individual health but also environmental sustainability. As we deepen our understanding of the impacts of plant-based diets on human health and the climate, future studies may reveal new strategies for integrating these diets into mainstream eating habits, potentially revolutionizing dietary recommendations worldwide.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Health benefits of plant-based nutrition including vegan, lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, or flexitarian diets (non-vegetarian diets that include notably lower amounts of animal products than typical omnivorous diets)
• Sustainable plant-based diets and climate impact
• Controlled dietary interventions for plant-based eating
• Nutritional epidemiology of vegan diets and ethical veganism
• Alternative proteins in plant-based diets
• The impact of food-based dietary quality on the healthiness of vegan diets
• Transformative strategies to shift mainstream diets towards a notable reduction of animal-source food intake, while ensuring adequate nutrient intake

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.