Assessment of diet-related GHG emissions using the environmental hourglass approach for the Mediterranean and new Nordic diets.
Food production and preparation affect the environment in many ways, with effects on greenhouse gases, use of land, biodiversity, etc. The impact is influenced by consumer demand and eating habits. Two different recommended dietary models were considered, the Mediterranean Diet and the New Nordic Diet, with quantitative analysis of GHG emissions through LCA. An environmental hourglass (EH) approach based on LCA was introduced to help translate health-promoting dietary recommendations that consider regional circumstances and cultural diversity into practical eating habits, to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly consumption. Using the environmental hourglass approach, we examined whether dietary choices based on nutritional recommendations can minimise certain negative effects on the food production environment. Using two examples of health-enhancing, regionally-oriented and culturally appropriate dietary patterns - the Mediterranean Diet and the New Nordic Diet - we showed that consumption of high protein foods has a similar and comparable environmental impact to fruit and vegetable consumption. The results of this work may provide a starting point for integrated policy addressing issues related to the healthy diet of the population, aware food choices and sustainable agriculture.
Department of Food Quality and Nutrition, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
Maria M
MM
Ulaszewska
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy; OPERA Research Center, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (UCSC), Piacenza, Italy. Electronic address: gloria.luzzani@unicatt.it.
Gloria
G
Luzzani
Life Cycle Engineering, Via Livorno 60 c/o Environment Park, 10144 Torino, Italy.
Sonia
S
Pignatelli
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy; OPERA Research Center, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (UCSC), Piacenza, Italy.
Ettore
E
Capri
D000383:Agriculture; D004032:Diet / Q000145:classification*; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005502:Food; D005523:Food Supply; D000074382:Greenhouse Gases; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical
D000074382:Greenhouse Gases
Dietary guidelines; Environmental hourglass; Environmental impact; GHG emissions; Meat; Protein