Dante Carrillo
Sustainable diets are dietary patterns that promote health and wellbeing, have low environmental impact, are accessible, affordable, safe, and equitable, and are culturally acceptable. They aim to positively impact individuals and the environment, both now and in the future. There are no set rules on what makes a diet sustainable, but some diets and food items are more sustainable than others. Factors that determine the sustainability of a diet include its impact on the environment, the individual, and the food chain as a whole. Generally, diets that are higher in plant foods are more sustainable than diets higher in animal products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Individual impact | Positively impacts the individual's health and wellbeing |
| Environmental impact | Positively impacts the environment, both now and in the future |
| Food sources | Focus on plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains |
| Food variety | Eat a wide variety of foods to promote biodiversity and resilience |
| Food production | Minimize food waste, packaging, and consumption of unsustainably produced foods |
| Animal products | Reduce consumption of meat, dairy, and eggs due to their adverse environmental impact |
| Gradual change | Approach dietary changes gradually to ensure long-term sustainability |
| Accessibility | Accessible, affordable, safe, and culturally acceptable |
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What You'll Learn
Environmental impact
A sustainable diet is one that has a positive impact on both the individual and the environment, both now and in the future. There is no consensus on which diet is the most sustainable, but certain eating plans are more sustainable than others. For example, vegetarian, plant-based, and vegan diets are more sustainable than diets that contain meat and other animal products. This is because meat and dairy production has a large environmental footprint, contributing to land use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The production, processing, transportation, distribution, preparation, consumption, and disposal of food all create greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. About a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food, with the largest chunk coming from agriculture and land use. This includes emissions from manure management, rice cultivation, the burning of crop residues, and the use of fuel on farms.
To reduce the environmental impact of their diet, individuals can make changes such as eating less meat and choosing produce grown without harmful pesticides and fertilizers. They can also support local farmers, buy seasonal produce, and reduce food waste. Eating a varied diet from a wide range of sources ensures individuals are getting all the essential nutrients they need.
On a larger scale, investing in agricultural systems that renew, rather than deplete, the ecosystems to which they belong is crucial. This means implementing practices that replenish the supply of anything removed from the environment, such as planting new trees to replace those cut down for agriculture. Additionally, choosing food produced by companies that provide fair wages and safe working conditions for their employees is essential for the long-term sustainability of the food system.
Overall, a sustainable diet aims to minimize the risk of diet-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, while also reducing the environmental impact of food production and promoting future food security.
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Individual health
Sustainable diets are dietary patterns that promote all dimensions of individuals' health and well-being, are nutritionally adequate, and have low environmental pressure and impact. They are accessible, affordable, safe, and equitable, and are culturally acceptable.
Sustainable diets attempt to address nutrient deficiencies (e.g. undernutrition) and excesses (e.g. obesity), while accounting for ecological phenomena such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and land degradation.
At an individual level, most sustainable diets promote reduced consumption of meat and dairy products due to the particularly adverse environmental impact of these industries. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, livestock makes up 14.5% of all human-induced emissions. Reducing the need for livestock and improving farming practices can help lower this impact.
A sustainable diet is usually plant-based, with moderate amounts of animal-derived foods such as eggs, dairy, and fish, and smaller amounts of meat, especially red meat. Dairy products are an important source of protein, calcium, and essential amino acids, and have been linked to a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, stroke, bowel cancer, and type 2 diabetes. For meat-eaters, limiting meat consumption to 1-2 times a week, having meat-free days, and choosing more sustainable meats like chicken over beef can help reduce our ecological footprint.
Eating sustainably doesn't have to be expensive. We can reduce our climate impact by choosing fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season and grown locally. Buying seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables is usually cheaper and reduces the amount of greenhouse gas used to transport the food.
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$16.58 $32.5
Food waste
Sustainable diets are dietary patterns that promote all dimensions of individuals' health and wellbeing, have low environmental impact, are accessible, affordable, safe, and equitable, and are culturally acceptable. Food waste is a critical aspect of sustainability, and reducing it can significantly impact the environment.
One way to reduce food waste is to minimise the amount of food thrown away. This can be achieved through better planning and purchasing the right amount of food. Individuals can also reduce waste by storing food correctly and utilising leftovers. Additionally, composting food scraps can help divert food waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions and improving soil health.
The food industry also has a responsibility to reduce food waste. This includes improving packaging to extend the shelf life of products and minimising waste during production and distribution. Governments can play a role by implementing policies to reduce waste, such as encouraging the donation of surplus food to those in need.
The environmental impact of food waste extends beyond the waste itself. Producing, processing, and transporting food requires energy, water, and other resources. By reducing food waste, we can conserve these resources and reduce the environmental impact of food production. This includes lowering greenhouse gas emissions, reducing water usage, and minimising the land required for agriculture.
In conclusion, reducing food waste is essential to creating a more sustainable food system. By minimising waste, we can improve resource use, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure food availability for future generations. This requires action from individuals, industries, and governments, all working together to prioritise sustainability and minimise food waste.
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Animal products
However, it is not necessary to eliminate meat and animal products entirely to have a sustainable diet. Small reductions in total consumption over time can have significant impacts. Eating less meat and animal products can reduce environmental impacts and improve health. For instance, reducing red meat portions to 50-70g per day is advised. This can be done by having one meat-free day a week, such as "meat-free Monday."
Animal foods can still have a place in a sustainable diet, though there is no agreement on how much animal food a person can eat and still be considered sustainable. Some sources suggest that sustainably produced meat and fish are valuable sources of nutrition and can play a key role in landscape management and maintaining ecosystem services. In addition, when well-managed, livestock farming can contribute to ecosystem management and soil health, while delivering high-quality foodstuffs through the upcycling of resources.
However, plant-based diets are generally considered more sustainable than diets containing meat and other animal products. Plant-based diets have been shown to have environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land use. In addition, plant-based diets can provide nutritional benefits, such as aiding weight loss and muscle synthesis. Therefore, a sustainable diet may involve moderating animal product intake and increasing plant-based foods.
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Plant-based alternatives
A sustainable diet considers the impact it will have on the environment, the individual, and the food chain as a whole. Food production is among the largest causes of global environmental change. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, livestock makes up 14.5% of all human-induced emissions. As such, diets that are higher in plant foods are more sustainable than those higher in animal products.
One example of a PBA is plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs). PBDAs have a substantially lower environmental footprint than dairy milk, using fewer natural resources such as land and water, and producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Fortified PBDAs can also provide adequate levels of important vitamins and minerals comparable to dairy milk, such as calcium, vitamin D, iodine, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12.
Another example of PBAs is plant-based meat alternatives, such as mycoprotein. These alternatives have a lower carbon footprint than meat products, with a lower planetary impact than animal-based foods. For instance, producing 100 grams of protein from peas emits just 0.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents, whereas producing the same amount of protein from beef would emit nearly 90 times more.
To make the switch to a more plant-based diet, it is recommended to make changes gradually. For example, one simple way is to set aside one day of the week to eat only plant products, such as "meat-free Monday".
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Frequently asked questions
A sustainable diet is one that has a positive impact on both the individual and the environment, now and in the future. It aims to address nutrient deficiencies and excesses while reducing the environmental cost incurred by food systems, from production to waste.
Sustainable diets are beneficial as they improve the health of individuals and the planet. They can help address issues such as malnutrition and obesity while also reducing environmental issues like biodiversity loss and water pollution.
Sustainable diets are typically plant-based, with an emphasis on whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. They also include moderate amounts of animal products, such as eggs, dairy, and fish, and smaller amounts of meat. It is also important to choose sustainably sourced foods, such as MSC-labelled fish.
Transitioning to a sustainable diet can be done gradually. Start by reducing your consumption of meat and animal products, trying initiatives like "meat-free Mondays". You can also increase your intake of plant-based proteins and choose locally sourced, seasonal produce to reduce your environmental impact.
