Could this diet help the planet and our health?

We already know that diets high in meat are not good for health and there is overwhelming evidence now that suggests that following a vegetarian diet – or at least a flexitarian diet – is extremely beneficial to our health and wellbeing. -be. But what about the health of our planet?

A study in the newspaper Nature Last year, it was found that continued consumption of Western diets high in red meats and processed foods, combined with the current rate of population growth, could result in a significant increase in environmental pressures from the system. food. % here 2050.

By 2050, the planet will have about 10 billion inhabitants, all of whom will need to eat.

In an article published in The lancet Back in January, the authors observed, "Giving a growing world population healthy food from sustainable food systems is an immediate challenge," which is an intelligent and telling way of saying: things are getting really, really bad – and the future even darker.

What is the climate regime?

So how does changing our diets as a person contribute to fighting the effects of climate change?

Well, that's where the climate regime or the "climatian regime" comes in.

As a non-profit organization "Less meat less heat", which aims to reduce the consumption of meat products harmful to the climate, explains: "A climate diet involves choosing what you eat according to the climate. 39 carbon footprint of different foods. As a consumer, you can use your power to reduce the production of the types of meat that have the greatest impact on our climate. "

To follow a climate diet, you have to limit your consumption of red meat to one serving a week and try to minimize your consumption of cheese – say that it's not for us to hear crying – but this has to be done because Cheese has the largest carbon footprint of all dairy products. (Sorry)

In addition to reducing dairy products and meat, the same article of The lancet It has been suggested that for a climate-friendly diet, about one-third of your daily calories come from carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes and wheat and about a quarter from legumes. About 20% of your daily caloric intake should come from healthy fats – not those from animal protein.

Fresh fruits and vegetables must absorb all the remaining calories – but these must have been obtained in the most local and seasonal way possible to reduce the carbon footprint of your weekly store.

Will the climate regime really work?

The short answer is yes, hopefully. A growing number of experts are questioning the need for change and the benefits that diets of this type will have on our bodies and on our planet.

"Research consistently shows that significantly reducing the intake of animal and especially plant foods is one of the most effective ways to reduce your impact on the planet during your lifetime: energy requirements, land use, emissions greenhouse gases, water, etc. Sharon Palmer, a graduate nutritionist and Los Angeles-based specialist in food and sustainable plant development, said CNN.

While the weather regime may seem to be too much of a change from your current weekly eating habits, Jonathan Harrington writes in his book on the climate regime that while saving the planet, a climatian diet could also help you reduce the cost of living. your weekly store. do what any traditional diet also promises: help you lose weight.

"It has never been easier for families to reduce their fossil fuel consumption and protect the climate while saving money," Harrington writes.