How your diet is making the world sustainable
4 April 2024
Multiple paths lead to a healthier planet
WWF published a report on food consumption in different countries in 2020 and found that sustainable eating habits, such as a flexitarian or vegan diet, can contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A vegan diet can even bring emissions almost in line with the climate target for food. By simply changing our eating habits to more plant-based, we can make a big impact on saving our planet. In doing so, it is recommended to consume more fruits and vegetables for a more sustainable diet.
Livewell guideline
WWF's recent 2023 report examines how our diet's impact on the health of the planet. In the Netherlands, we follow the Schijf van Vijf as a guideline for healthy and sustainable eating, which is similar to the recently published German 'Schijf van Vijf' (DGE Ernärungskreis). The new German guideline recommends eating at least 3/4 plant-based and only 1/4 animal-based. The bulk consists of consuming fruit and vegetables, which together amount to a recommended daily allowance of 550 grams. This is in line with the Livewell guideline used by WWF. The UK version focuses not only on health and the environment, but also on cultural and social aspects. It aims for a diet not too different from the current one, with equal or lower costs for food. As shown in the picture below, this pattern includes larger portions of fruit and vegetables (+45%), more whole grain cereals such as brown rice (+35%) and more vegetable proteins such as lentils or black beans (+50%). Consumption of sugars, fat and animal products is also reduced. The consumption of fruits and vegetables is thus of increasing importance for a healthy and sustainable diet that not only provides individual health benefits but also contributes to the preservation of our planet.
Vega stir-fry from Simone's Kitchen
Main course
Health, sustainability and taste come together in this delicious recipe! Due to the amount of leeks and carrots, which are available year-round from Dutch soil, this is a meal that will make your wallet, your body and the planet happy. The brown rice also provides a sustainable and nutritious base.
Check out the sustainable recipe
Sources
WWF (2020). Bending the Curve: The Restorative Power of Planet-Based Diets. Loken, B. et al. WWF, Gland, Switzerland
WWF (May, 2023). Eating for net zero: How diet shift can enable a nature positive net-zero transition in the UK. Halevy, S., Trwern, J., et al.