Carolina Morton Delgado

What is a planetary health diet?

4 min Read
Wooden table with tomatoes, celery, chillis and lentils.

Carolina Morton Delgado is a qualified Mexican nutritionist and holds a Master's in Global Health from the University of Aberdeen. Carolina loves talking (and learning) about the benefits of plant-based diets and non-diet approaches. You can learn more via her Instagram @nutrientfeed.

Our food choices impact both our health and the environment. In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission introduced the planetary health diet - a flexitarian diet which can benefit both people and the planet. So if you’re looking to lower the carbon footprint of your diet but can’t bear the thought of never eating cheese again, keep reading!

What is the EAT-Lancet commission?

In 2019, 37 scientists from 16 countries and multiple scientific disciplines formed the EAT-Lancet Commission. Their aim was to set strategies for healthy diets and sustainable food production, in order to feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050. 

This blog will focus on the Commission’s healthy diet strategy, but I would definitely recommend reading the Commission’s summary report if you want to learn more.

Why do we need a planetary health diet?

Current mainstream methods of food production promote climate change, diversity loss, unsustainable use of land and water, and pollution. The Commission’s report identified that we can transform our food system through a combination of reduced food loss and waste, and improvements in food production practices. 

Every year, the UK wastes approximately 9.5 million tonnes of food

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What is the planetary health diet?

As a result of the Commission’s work, a global food guide for adults was developed. The planetary health diet serves as a framework to simultaneously lessen global malnutrition and reduce the environmental impact of eating habits.


A breakdown of the planetary health diet. (EAT)


The planetary health diet is flexible and promotes a plant-based dietary pattern wherein whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes are the main foods consumed. It also includes meat and dairy, but in smaller proportions. 

The planetary health diet is purposefully not rigid, which means it can be adapted to different dietary needs, personal preferences and cultural traditions.

How do I follow the planetary health diet?

In practice, this could look like getting most of your protein intake from plant sources, eating fish or poultry a couple of times a week, and red meat once a week.


The planetary health diet in your day-to-day

It can be hard to picture yourself not eating animal protein with every meal. Relax! Give the following food swaps a go and see how you find them. Remember that the planetary health diet allows you to be flexible, so none of these swaps are compulsory - they’re just a few examples to help you get started.

Here are some options for beginners:

Doing all these changes at once can be overwhelming, so please remember to start slow and check in with yourself along the way. This is a marathon, not a sprint!

Not ready to give up meat? That’s okay!

We’ve got a few suggestions for how meat-lovers can still do their bit for the planet.
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For those who are ready to level up their flexitarianism:

Lastly, remember that it’s OK to start with what’s easiest for you and go as slow as you need to. I recommend finding other people who are changing their diet for their health and the planet’s - you can support each other and share useful tips.

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