A new study has shown that making simple substitutions like swapping beef for chicken or drinking plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk could reduce the average American’s food carbon footprint by 35%, by 35%. time that would increase the quality of the diet between 4 and 10%, according to the study.
These results, published in the journal Nature Food, highlight the potential of a “small changes” approach, which the researchers say could encourage more consumers to adopt climate-friendly eating habits. Food production accounts for between 25% and 33% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, with beef production being a major contributor.
“This study shows that reducing carbon emissions from the diet is possible and does not have to involve a radical change in lifestyle,” says Diego Rose, lead author and director of the nutrition program at the Faculty of Public Health and Medicine. Tropical from Tulane University (United States).
“It can be as simple as ordering a chicken burrito instead of a beef burrito when we go out to eat,” he recommends. cow. That small change can have a significant impact.”
The study, which analyzed the dietary data of more than 7,700 Americans, identified the commonly consumed foods with the greatest climate impact and simulated their replacement with nutritionally similar options with fewer emissions.
“For us, the substitutes included swapping a beef burger for a turkey burger, not replacing the steak with a tofu hot dog,” said Anna Grummon, lead author and associate professor of pediatrics and health policy at Stanford University. substitutes that were as similar as possible. The largest predicted emissions reductions were seen in mixed dishes: burritos, pastas and similar popular dishes where it is easy to replace beef with a lower-impact protein.
The study expanded previous research by including data on the children’s diet. While it may be more effective for an adult to focus on protein exchange, Grummon says that switching children to plant-based milk can have a “significant impact on the carbon footprint” and help initiate positive habits sooner.
The goal of the study was not to identify healthy alternatives to high-carbon foods. And yet, switching to low-carbon foods showed “considerable improvements in the healthiness of diets.” While these substitutes are not intended to be a panacea for personal health or climate goals, they are proof that small changes can have a big impact.
“There is an overlap between sustainable diets and healthy diets,” Grummon emphasizes. “Our study shows that changing a single ingredient, making a swap, can be beneficial for everyone, leading to significant changes in both climate and health outcomes.” What are our diets?
