Abstract
The Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition has produced an updated version of the traditional food pyramid based on the Mediterranean diet in order to assess the simultaneous impact that food has on human health and the environment. The Double Pyramid Model demonstrates how the foods recommended to be consumed most frequently are also those exerting less environmental impact, whereas the foods that should be consumed less frequently are those characterized by a higher environmental impact. The environmental impacts resulting from three different menus were compared. All menus were equally balanced and comparable in terms of nutrition, but they differed in relation to the presence of absence of animal flesh and animal products. The first dietary pattern (omnivorous) included both animal flesh and products; the second (lacto-ovo-vegetarian) included animal products (eggs and dairy) but no flesh; and the third (vegan) was solely plant-based. The results obtained suggest that a diet based on the principles of the Mediterranean diet, as suggested by the Double Pyramid, generates a lower environmental impact compared to diets that are heavily based on daily meat consumption.
Generated Summary
This perspective article presents the “Double Pyramid Model” developed by the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition (BCFN) to assess the simultaneous impact of food on human health and the environment. The study compares the environmental impact of different dietary regimes, focusing on the principles of the Mediterranean diet as a sustainable dietary model. The methodology involves comparing the environmental impacts of omnivorous, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, and vegan diets using the Double Pyramid Model, which visually represents the relationship between food choices, nutritional value, and environmental impact. The research also includes a discussion on the need for sustainable diets and the role of sustainable diets in promoting healthy and environmentally friendly eating habits. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainable diets in promoting healthy and environmentally friendly eating habits, particularly addressing the environmental impacts associated with food consumption, such as greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and biodiversity loss. The study aims to raise public awareness regarding the environmental and nutritional impacts of food choices and promote a better understanding of how dietary changes can lead to significant benefits for both human health and the environment. The BCFN’s “Double Pyramid Model” serves as a visual tool to help consumers make informed decisions about their daily diets, considering both health and sustainability.
Key Findings & Statistics
- Agriculture is responsible for over 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with livestock alone accounting for 18% of anthropogenic GHG emissions and 80% of total land use.
- Food consumption in Europe accounts for 20-30% of the total ecological impact of households.
- 805 million people were chronically undernourished between 2012 and 2014, while 2.1 billion people were considered overweight or obese.
- NCD deaths are projected to reach up to 52 million by 2030 and account for two-thirds of the global burden of disease if current dietary trends continue.
- The water footprint of 1 kg of bovine meat (18,870.1 liters) is 61 times higher than vegetables (310.1 liters) and 11 times higher than pasta (1,770.1 liters).
- The carbon footprint of fruit (475 g CO2eq) and vegetables (820 g CO2eq) are 55 and 32 times lower, respectively, than red meat (26,170 g CO2eq).
- The vegetarian menu has an environmental impact 2.8 times lower than the omnivore menu, while the vegan menu is 3.3 times lower.
- The carbon footprint of the vegan menu is 1,683.05 g CO2eq per person per day, compared to 2,436.18 g CO2eq for the vegetarian menu and 6,556.2 g CO2eq for the omnivorous menu.
- The water footprint of the vegetarian menu was 1,533.26 liters of water per person per day, almost 2.5 times less than the omnivorous menu (4,638.80), but higher than the vegan menu (1,389.09).
- The environmental impact of the omnivore menu is 2.57 times higher than the vegetarian one: 38.08 (global) m² vs. 14.81 m² per person per day, respectively, a difference of up to 23 m² per day or 162 m² per week.
Other Important Findings
- The Double Pyramid Model arranges foods based on their contribution to a healthy diet and their environmental impact. The Food Pyramid, on the left, is based on the Mediterranean diet, while the Environmental Pyramid, on the right, reclassifies food based on its environmental impact.
- The Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, unrefined grains, and some fish, is explicitly cited by the FAO as an exemplary Sustainable Diet.
- The Double Pyramid demonstrates an inverse relationship between the foods recommended for frequent consumption (vegetables, fruits, grains) and their environmental impact (lower), and those to be consumed less frequently (red meat) with a higher environmental impact.
- The study highlights that the dietary patterns with the lowest environmental impacts are centered on a diverse range of plant foods.
- The vegan diet showed the lowest environmental impact in the study, with the vegetarian diet performing better than the omnivorous diet.
- The results align with the message conveyed by the Double Pyramid, as dietary patterns richer in vegetables and plant foods are associated with lower environmental impacts.
- The research emphasizes that it is possible to achieve environmental benefits without completely eliminating animal products from the diet. By limiting meat consumption to twice a week, as recommended by CRA-NUT, individuals could potentially reduce their environmental footprint.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- Some of the data used to compile the pyramids are still debated within the scientific community.
- The sustainability of fishing remains a concern.
- The study acknowledges that while the Double Pyramid refers to the Mediterranean diet, this does not necessarily mean it is the only well-balanced dietary regime. Other guidelines exist, and variations are expected due to cultural and food availability differences.
Conclusion
The findings strongly support the concept that food choices have a significant impact on both human health and the environment. The BCFN’s Double Pyramid Model serves as a crucial tool for raising public awareness about these impacts and advocating for dietary changes. The study reveals a strong correlation between the environmental impact of food and its nutritional characteristics, underscoring that foods beneficial for health often have a lower environmental impact. The results emphasize the importance of plant-based foods and the need to reduce the consumption of meat and other foods with high environmental footprints. The study concludes that the environmental impact of an individual’s food choices can be significantly influenced by dietary adjustments. Even moderate changes, such as adopting a semi-vegetarian diet, can lead to substantial environmental benefits. The study promotes a shift towards more sustainable eating patterns and the importance of considering both health and sustainability when making food choices. It is a call to action that supports individuals in making informed decisions to reduce their environmental impact. By limiting the intake of animal products and increasing the consumption of plant-based foods, individuals can improve both their health and contribute to environmental protection. The overall message reinforces the importance of adopting sustainable diets to benefit human health and the environment, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change and promote a more sustainable future.