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Is this method of nourishment truly a planetary diet, or merely a way to save the environment?
Table of Contents
1. The planetary diet regimen - definition
The planetary diet regimen is a proposition devised by scientists from the EAT-Lancet Commission in response to concerning reports of environmental changes and global warming. The aim was to gather all essential information enabling the preparation of nutritious and as climate-neutral meals as possible. In this manner, the negative impact of food production on the planet can be diminished. Furthermore, the scientists assert that their recommended changes could safeguard up to 11 million individuals from premature death. This diet is designed to nourish the entire current and future populace (projected 10 billion people by 2050).2. Fundamentals of the planetary diet
The planetary diet is based on similar principles as the flexitarian and vegetarian diets. Its main goal is to reduce the consumption of meat and animal products. According to scientists' predictions, meat consumption should be reduced by at least half, ideally by 77%. Another important aspect of the planetary diet is reducing sugar consumption and products with high sugar content such as sweets, baked goods, and ready-made sauces and meals. The diet also promotes increased consumption of legumes, fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and seeds. According to researchers' recommendations, their share in the diet should be increased by half. In addition, it is recommended to avoid using palm oil, whose production negatively impacts the environment. A healthy plate in the planetary diet should consist of half fruits or vegetables, one third of whole grain carbohydrates, and the rest of proteins. Proteins should mainly come from plant-based sources such as legumes. According to scientists' recommendations, dairy products may appear in the diet in an amount corresponding to one glass of milk, yogurt or a portion of cheese. However, egg consumption should be reduced to a maximum of two per week. As inspiration for preparing nutritional recommendations for the planetary diet, two popular diets were used: the Mediterranean and Japanese diets, which are known for their health-promoting effects.3. Diet and natural environment
The growing consumption and demand for food are leading to an increasing exploitation of the environment to obtain the necessary amounts of food to meet market demand. The food industry is largely using natural resources and contributing to climate change, excessive water use, and soil degradation. Human health and the state of the planet are interconnected and largely dependent on appropriate diet and appropriate food production. One of the major challenges is also the current food waste. The planetary diet assumes that by adhering to its principles, the amount of food waste can be reduced by as much as 15%. Scientists believe that introducing changes can also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in more than 100 countries (R. D. Semba et al. 2020). Researchers point out that reducing meat consumption alone can effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions (U. Fresán et al. 2019).4. Present hazards associated with contemporary nutrition
The current diet is associated with numerous negative consequences not only for the environment but also for health. It is estimated that around 2 billion people currently suffer from malnutrition, which is equivalent to the number of people affected by obesity (J. Bylinowska 2019). This indicates that food is distributed inadequately. Most contemporary dietary models are based on the so-called Western diet, which is characterized primarily by increased calorie intake and is based on processed products and a large amount of meat. In this diet, there are few fruits, vegetables, and fiber, but too much simple sugar. Such a diet can lead to many chronic civilizational diseases that negatively impact life expectancy and quality of daily functioning. This is one of the problems that was also taken into account by researchers when developing the planetary diet, which aims not only to protect the planet but also to have a positive impact on the health of people who follow it.5. Does the planetary diet have any drawbacks?
The planetary diet was designed to positively impact both the environment and the health of its users. Therefore, it seems to have only advantages at first glance, but its opponents have a different opinion. Their main criticism (H. Schübel et al. 2021) is that scientists have not taken into account all the necessary factors needed to create a nutritional model for the entire world's population. The first allegation is the lack of focus in the report on humans. However, they have been presented only as two groups: food producers and customers, not taking into account that the food industry will interact with other branches of the economy and people will fulfill more roles in them. Opponents also point out that the data saying 11 million people could be saved was presented on the basis of abstract interpretations of three studies, and not long-term observations conducted over several years, which they believe is misleading. According to them, setting an average for the entire population is not possible, as every human being is different and their needs may vary from the accepted pattern. On the other hand, it is worth considering, in the light of the results of the studies presented in the report, whether the advantages of the planetary diet do not outweigh the mentioned drawbacks.6. The planetary diet as a means of limiting human impact on climate
The current global food production system is leading to overexploitation of the environment, water wastage, and threatening the future security of humanity. Switching to a more plant-based and sustainable food model can aid in mitigating the negative consequences of climate change. The planetary diet, created by The EAT-Lancet Commission, is founded on the findings of numerous studies and observations of the environmental impact of the food industry. According to the scientific community, consumption is one of the most significant factors that affect human health and the state of the planet. Hence, a suitable dietary change can bring considerable benefits to the planet by limiting the consumption of animal products and increasing the intake of plant products. Such a method helps in minimizing the risk of civilization-related diseases, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and alleviating the hunger problem worldwide. However, dietary change alone is insufficient, but every activity aimed at protecting the planet is of utmost importance.
