Introduction
The current challenges facing our food system affect both public health and environmental impact. This article examines the problems associated with our current eating habits and discusses the importance of a plant-based diet to address these challenges.
Health and environmental impacts
Global food production is threatening climate stability and the ecological resilience of ecosystems. Despite this, many people are undernourished, while overweight and obesity are reaching epidemic proportions. About 2 billion people also suffer from micronutrient deficiencies . These facts show that unhealthy diets lead to diet-related health problems and are among the top 10 risk factors for the global burden of disease.
International efforts and recommendations
Given these challenges, government bodies and health authorities around the world have recognized the urgency of addressing this issue. In 2019, the Lancet report “The EAT” highlighted the fundamental role of nutrition in human health and the environment. It proposed a planetary health diet as a sustainable solution. Also that year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) published guiding principles for a balanced diet. These emphasize the importance of fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains and nuts, complemented by moderate amounts of fish, eggs, poultry and dairy products. The variety of plant-based dietary patterns ranges from semi-vegetarian to flexitarian to vegan.
The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
A shift to plant-based diets could reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases by 18-21% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54-87% globally. This is critical because high sodium consumption and low consumption of whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables are among the top five risk factors for deaths and years of life lost related to cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
challenges and solutions
Although a plant-based diet offers many benefits, it is important to ensure it is balanced and varied to meet the needs of all key nutrients. Previous studies have shown that vegetarians and vegans are at higher risk of certain nutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc and calcium. Therefore, targeted dietary planning and, if necessary, supplementation is necessary to ensure optimal nutrient intake.
Conclusion
A plant-based diet is not only good for our health, but also for our planet. By changing our eating habits and focusing more on plant-based foods, we can make an important contribution to solving global health and environmental problems.
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Sources:
Neufingerl N, Eilander A. Nutrient Intake and Status in Adults Consuming Plant-Based Diets Compared to Meat-Eaters: A Systematic Review. Nutrients . 2022; 14(1):29. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14010029
