Sustainable Diets: Eating for the Planet

BY Lucy Walton

It is becoming more established that what we eat not only impacts our health and wellbeing but also impacts the planet. Climate change is massively on the global agenda with a significant (80%) reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions needed. Contributing to these emissions is the food industry which has been estimated to be responsible for 30% of GHG emissions.

All stages of food production impact the environment including growing & harvesting, fisheries & livestock, processing & packing, distribution, retail, cooking & eating. However, the increasing demands on the meat industry and deforestation for agriculture are thought to be the main contributors and the loss of bio-cultural and agricultural diversity.

Figures suggest global food production accounts for 70% of all human water use and is also the leading cause of deforestation, biodiversity loss and soil & water pollution. It is also estimated that one-third of the food we produce is wasted and 80% of agricultural land is committed to farming animals, which could be repurposed and use more efficiently to grow crops. As the population grows the impact of food production on the environment increases, putting the security of food at risk.

So, what is a sustainable diet?

A sustainable has been defined as a diet which limits environmental impact while contributing to all nutritional needs and food security, for people today and in the future. This covers environmental, social, economic and health security. In 2010 the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) stated a sustainable diet is “Those diets with low environmental impacts which contribute to food and nutrition security and to healthy life for present and future generations”. They further commented that while optimizing natural and human resources, sustainable diets are:

Protective and respectful of biodiversity and ecosystems
Accessible and culturally acceptable
Economically fair and affordable
Nutritionally adequate
Safe
Healthy

To cook and eat more sustainably we do not have to do everything or be ‘eco-perfect’ all of the time. Eating sustainability including eating a balanced diet and small changes will make a big impact. If the population adopted the latest 2016 Eat Well guide we could:

Reduce GHG emissions by 31%
Observe a 34% reduction in land use
Plus a 17% reduction in water use
Increase years of healthy living by 17.9million

Tips to help you eat more sustainability

Reduce meat and fish intake

Eating sustainably does not need to mean going fully vegan or vegetarian but reducing our meat and fish intake can help reduce the demand on agriculture. Eating less meat and fish does not mean we will go without protein, as protein is found in many plant sources, including:

Beans, lentils and pulses
Fungal based protein such as mycoprotein
Soya products including tofu, tempeh and soya milk

Start small and try swapping half your beef mince for lentils or beans.

Eat a wide variety of foods

Currently too many people rely on the same dishes and same core ingredients in every meal. By aiming for a more varied and colourful diet we can expand out taste horizons and ensure we are eating nutritious, natural meals. We should aim for a wide variety of foods including wholegrains, fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Shop locally

Helping to reduce air miles and use of resources, hence reducing the carbon footprint of our meals. Eating locally also supports your local economy in a meaningful way.

Eat with the seasons

Eating seasonal food reduces GHG emissions because it does not require the high-energy input from artificial heating or lighting, needed to produce crops out of the natural growing season. Seasonal eating also helps to reduce air miles while additionally helping to protect local land and wildlife from mass-scale agriculture.

Plan ahead

Planning what we are going to eat can help reduce food waste, ensuring you only buy foods you need. Make a shopping list and meal plan for your week ahead to get you started, think of a new plant food to try and see if you can pick it up in the supermarket.

Look out for labels

There are various standards you can find on food products to inform you if the product is sourced and produced sustainability. These include:

Fairtrade – ensuring farmers and workers are protected in developing countries
Freedom Food – protecting animal welfare
MSC and ASC – seafood sourced sustainably
RSPO -a global certification showing sustainable palm oil

Reduce our food waste

30% of food purchased by the average household is wasted. Every time we throw food away we are wasting natural resources and money.

To reduce food waste, try:

Blending leftover veggies or those a little past their best into soups or smoothies
Utilize your freezer – blanch vegetables and fruit and store in the freezer to keep fresh
Grow your own herbs or vegetables to allow you to pick just what is needed

About the author:

Lucy has a BSc in Nutrition and Psychology and enjoys getting creative with recipes in the kitchen and writing content for her Instagram page where I like to share recipes, debunk nutrition myths and share practical nutrition tips and advice. Lucy is currently interning with Nutribytes who aim to bring nutrition advice to life and help individuals make healthier and more informed choices. Lucy also interns at Nutritank on their social media platforms, helping to increase nutrition and lifestyle medicine education in medical training.

To find more about Lucy, head to her Instagram

References

Nutrition, SustainabilityFrances BaldingSeptember 30, 2020