Why a Sustainable Diet Is Key to a Healthier Planet and Body:

Every year, Earth Day is a day dedicated towards the global mobilization of protecting the environment. Although recycling and planting trees are commonly practiced, it is essential to note that reconsidering the way we approach food is a fundamental yet often neglected method.

Adopting a nourishing dietary regimen that involves consuming more red meat and processed foods, and instead focusing on plant-based options is good for the environment and one’s health. A study stated in PubMed reveals that food manufacturing accounts for more than 25% of the total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Concurrently, diets laden with fast food and red meat are associated with higher levels of obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases.

In a gratifying turn of events, the same unhealthy eating habits that put a strain on our health can also help with an increase in environmental sustainability.

Here are 10 ways supporting a sustainable diet can benefit our health and aid the environment.

Reduces Chronic Disease: Consuming food rich in whole grains, legumes, and nuts can lower cardiovascular complications such as chances of heart failures, type 2 Diabetes, and even cancer.

Absorbs Greenhouse Gasses: Studies conducted in PNAS and The Lancet suggest that adopting a plant-based diet can lower GHG emissions associated with food consumables anywhere from 29%-70%.

Promotes Longevity: Studies indicate that people who follow vegetarian or semi-vegetarian diets have a longer life expectancy, compared to those who consume larger amounts of meat.

Practicing sustainable eating by incorporating a diet with more vegetables means less agricultural land, energy, and water is consumed compared to diets with animal foods such as meat and dairy. Overall, this aids in conserving land and natural resources.

Animal husbandry has a negative impact; pollution from the waste produced can negatively affect air and water quality. Curbing plant-based diets contributes towards cleaner ecosystems and this gap reduces.

Diets and foods deriving from plants and containing high levels of fiber are low in calories. This significantly reduces the risk of obesity and helps in maintaining a healthy body weight, supporting healthy weight.

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, a worldwide shift towards incorporating a sustainable diet could save up to 11 million lives by preventing premature deaths every year.

In regards to climate change, reducing the intake of meat improves the individual’s carbon footprint. This shift would lessen the effect one has on it.

Sustainable eating underpins resilient agricultural systems that are more adaptable and better to help agriculture weather climate disruptions, therefore strengthening food systems.

With both planetary and human health in mind, the EAT-Lancet Commission developed frameworks for future food systems focusing on guiding healthy planetary diets.