New dietary guidelines by government, designed to help Americans with healthy eating will not only recommend people what foods are good for their health, but will also note what foods are better for the environment.

The idea of sustainability is being discussed about by government advisory panel in public meetings. Doctors and academics on the panel have outlined sustainability in terms of conserving food resources.

The new guidelines might push people to choose healthy and plant-based foods, which include more fruits, vegetables, nuts rather than meat or beef.

A study the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences last year revealed that beef produces more heat-trapping gases per calorie compared with other popular animal proteins. It also puts out more water- polluting nitrogen, takes more water for irrigation and uses more land.

The recommendations are expected early this year and final dietary guidelines will be crafted by the Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments once the recommendations are made.

These guidelines are published every five years and are the basis for USDA's 'My Plate' icon that replaced the well-known food pyramid in 2010.

The final guidelines will also be integrated into school lunch meal patterns and other federal eating programs.