EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet lowers risk of premature death and environmental impact: New research

Persons who “eat a healthy, sustainable diet may substantially lower their risk of premature death in addition to their environmental impact, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It is the first large study to directly evaluate the impacts of adherence to recommendations in the landmark 2019 EAT-Lancet report.”Continue reading “EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet lowers risk of premature death and environmental impact: New research”

Towards a more holistic understanding of sustainable diets: An ecological public health approach

According to a recent scoping review titled, “Global dietary patterns are not sustainable” published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, a more holistic understanding of the concept ‘sustainable diets’ is needed. There is broad consensus that consumers must be encouraged to shift toward sustainable diets, defined by Burlingame and Dermini (2010) as: “diets with low environmentalContinue reading “Towards a more holistic understanding of sustainable diets: An ecological public health approach”

Food and sustainability: Is it a matter of choice?: A review

A recent review published in the journal Sustainability focuses on results of life cycle analysis (LCA) articles that summarize the current state of food choices on our environment. This narrative review “aims to demonstrate that healthy plant-based choices in our diet are linked to choices beneficial to our environment.” The authors also highlight the opportunitiesContinue reading “Food and sustainability: Is it a matter of choice?: A review”

Ultra-processed foods linked to increased cancer risk, diabetes, and heart disease

New research published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that the higher the consumption of ultra-processed foods, the higher the risk of suffering from a combination of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, “Ultra-processed foods are convenient (long-shelf life, ready-to-eat), industrially manufactured foodsContinue reading “Ultra-processed foods linked to increased cancer risk, diabetes, and heart disease”

Environmental and land use consequences of replacing milk and beef with plant-based alternatives: New study

In a new study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production (Costa et al., 2023), researchers investigated the environmental consequences of two independent yet interconnected diet choices in a German context: (i) replacing dairy milk with soy milk, and (ii) replacing beef meatballs with pea protein balls. They related commodity demand to detailed agricultural rotationsContinue reading “Environmental and land use consequences of replacing milk and beef with plant-based alternatives: New study”

More than half of consumers are ‘climatarians’ and show concern for environment, new market research suggests

“Consumers are adapting their attitudes about food to a changing climate and aiming for more sustainable eating habits, research in Tetra Pak’s 2023 Index suggests.” The research also indicates that consumers are gravitating towards healthier products, a trend that is hampered little by economic concerns. “According to Tetra Pak’s Index 2023, based on research conductedContinue reading “More than half of consumers are ‘climatarians’ and show concern for environment, new market research suggests”

U.N. climate warning also comes with clear steps to cut GHG emissions: Equitable shifts to healthy sustainable diets and halving food waste

“The United Nations’ new “progress report” on climate change confirms the world is careening deeper into the danger zone. The fires, droughts, floods, storms, and other extreme weather that have taken so many lives and livelihoods this year underscore the mountain of evidence about the dangers of a warming world. And yet somehow, we are still lettingContinue reading “U.N. climate warning also comes with clear steps to cut GHG emissions: Equitable shifts to healthy sustainable diets and halving food waste”

Plant-based food alternatives could support a shift to global sustainability: New research

According to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, “Replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land.” (Kozicka et al., 2023) The authors note that, “additional climate andContinue reading “Plant-based food alternatives could support a shift to global sustainability: New research”

Having big meat-eaters reduce their meat consumption is the equivalent of taking 8 million cars off the road: Study

A recent study published in the journal Nature Food found that big meat-eaters in the United Kingdom (UK) reducing their meat consumption would be the equivalent of taking 8 million cars off the road. Prof Scarborough, who is part of the Livestock Environment And People (LEAP) project surveyed 55,000 people who were divided into bigContinue reading “Having big meat-eaters reduce their meat consumption is the equivalent of taking 8 million cars off the road: Study”

International Day for Biological Diversity: Moving from Agreement to Action

May 22nd is the International Day for Biological Diversity. This year’s International Day for Biological Diversity is an especially significant one. “To Build Back Biodiversity, we must move from Agreement to Action.” We must implement the Framework and deliver on the promises for 2030 that are encapsulated in its 23 targets. Much must be done if weContinue reading “International Day for Biological Diversity: Moving from Agreement to Action”