Unlock Planetary Health: the Diet Solution

By Tom Seest

What Is the Key to Achieving Planetary Health Through Diet?

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The Planetary Health Diet is a diet that’s flexible to fit in with your lifestyle and dietary preferences. It was created by the EAT-Lancet Commission, and its report was published in the Lancet journal on 16 January 2019. What is the Planetary Health Diet?

Can the EAT-Lancet Commission Help Us Achieve the Planetary Health Diet?

The Planetary Health Diet is a science-based, evidence-based diet plan that aims to improve the health of people and the planet. Designed by the EAT-Lancet Commission, the planetary health diet is based on the premise that food is a primary driver of both human and environmental health. It focuses on reducing consumption of animal-based foods, particularly red meat, and maximizing plant-based sources of protein. In addition to boosting your health, a plant-based diet can also save you money.
The EAT-Lancet Commission commissioned 37 leading scientists from 16 countries to conduct a study to see if a dietary innovation could help the planet. They found that a small change to the human diet could ward off 10 million premature deaths worldwide. A similar change in energy use would be equally effective. Despite the potential, few people actually choose to adopt these healthy eating habits.
The EAT-Lancet found that the aforementioned health-related dietary innovations were the most important to help solve some of the most pressing issues facing humanity and the planet. The planetary health diet is one such initiative, based on the hypothesis that a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and other plant-based foods could prevent chronic diseases, avert environmental catastrophe, and boost the economy. However, the EAT-Lancet report did not adequately account for the scientific method’s inherent uncertainties. This led to some of the most controversial conclusions of all time.
The EAT-Lancet also found that a food-centric solution to global nutrition and climate concerns would require some fundamental changes to the way we grow, process, and consume food. They recommended a variety of measures, including improved production, greater efficiency, and a more efficient use of freshwater and other resources. As such, the EAT-Lancet has declared 2019 the year of the Planetary Health Diet. Various cities across the world have launched the program. Those interested can learn more and get involved.
Overall, the EAT-Lancet’s planetary health diet has a lot of potential. It can be tailored to individual dietary needs and preferences and can even be modified to accommodate local contexts. The best part is that it can make a real difference.

Can the Planetary Health Diet Cost Just $2.84 Per Day?

A new study has found that the proposed planetary health diet is incredibly expensive. For example, one ounce of meat costs about fifty kilograms of greenhouse gasses. Moreover, a meal consisting of a salad is twice as expensive as a meal of junk food served with soda.
The study used seven hundred and forty-four food items in 159 countries to calculate what a calorie-rich diet would cost. It calculated the nutrient intake and calculated how much food each person would need. Using this data, researchers found that the global median for the planetary health diet is $2.84 per day in 2011.
One in four people would not be able to afford this diet. Most of these people are from sub-Saharan Africa.
This diet is meant to help the world’s growing population survive without damaging the environment. Unlike other dietary recommendations, this isn’t a set diet. Instead, it’s a recommendation to eat less meat. Rather than relying on animal products, the EAT-Lancet Commission recommends that we bulk up on low-impact foods such as beans.
Agricultural products are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Agricultural land accounts for 27 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Food production is responsible for 70 percent of freshwater usage. Hence, reducing agricultural emissions is crucial for fighting climate change.
Climate scientists have been urging the global community to eat more plants and reduce meat consumption. Although this is a very challenging task, it can have a positive impact on our health and help fight climate change. However, the recommended planetary health diet is unaffordable for a large portion of the global population.
As part of the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, and Health, researchers are recommending a diet that is mostly plant-based. Among other things, the proposed diet limits the use of meat and dairy. At the same time, it encourages the use of legumes and nuts. In fact, the largest part of the planetary health diet is made up of nuts and legumes.
These foods are also considered to have a lower carbon footprint. Moreover, they provide a number of benefits.

How Does the Planetary Health Diet Impact People and Mother Earth?

If we want to protect both human health and the well-being of Mother Earth, we must address the urgent climate crisis. This means developing an equitable framework for climate action. Until then, we will face the risk of unsustainable growth, which could lead to a planetary catastrophe.
Today, eight billion people live on our planet. Most of them remain malnourished. Over a million children die annually from malaria. They are also prone to diarrheal diseases. In addition, hundreds of thousands of children are affected by intestinal parasites.
Aside from the impact of overpopulation, climate change and land degradation have serious consequences for people and the environment. For instance, melting ice sheets affect wildlife, plants, and coastal systems. Some countries are also facing floods and heat waves.
The most prominent impact of pollution is felt in the developing world. Pollution is linked to respiratory illness, cancer, and premature death. It causes accidents and worsens access to clean water.
While agriculture is the biggest contributor to the loss of biodiversity, it is important to note that deforestation is another casualty of our reliance on the agricultural system. As deforestation occurs, pollinators, insects, and other animals are killed off.
Moreover, livestock production is not only a major source of food for humans but also consumes a large amount of resources. Dairy and red meat have a disproportionate environmental impact. Meat production uses 50 percent more resources per serving than legumes and vegetables.
Food production is a global issue. We can minimize the environmental impact of our food through smart repurposing, storing, and preparing strategies.
Planetary health diets aim to protect both our health and the well-being of Mother Earth. To achieve this goal, major improvements in the way we produce and prepare food must be made. These changes can be done through public support and private investment. However, we must start by addressing the causes of climate disruption.
For starters, we must stop dumping hazardous waste in developing nations. Developing countries are not yet able to properly regulate the dumping of hazardous waste.
We must also ensure that local communities are not left out of the process. Indigenous Peoples are key guardians of the planet but are often overlooked.

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