As we enjoy a smorgasbord of food choices at our local supermarket, many may be surprised to learn that environments across the planet are being destroyed to produce the food we eat. While some are prepared to cycle to work or turn off lights to save energy, fewer people have considered altering their diets to save the environment. A new diet being promoted by WWF means you can have a positive effect on vulnerable environments, wildlife and people – and be healthier too!

The Livewell 2020 report was launched by WWF UK last month in response to the growing impact of food production on the planet. The report claims that food production is responsible for 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, and is a major factor in the depletion of worldwide resources. In addition, it claims that the Western diet has contributed to a rise in diseases such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes, with more than 1.2 billion people worldwide suffering from these diseases.

[pullquote]The Western diet has contributed to a rise in diseases such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes, with more than 1.2 billion people worldwide suffering from these diseases.[/pullquote]

The result is the Livewell diet – an eating plan that is meant to be healthy for the individual as well as being beneficial to the environment.

Developed in conjunction with British government guidelines and the Rowatt Institute of Nutrition and Health at the University of Aberdeen, the diet encourages changes to our diet to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve our health. It promotes the consumption of more local and seasonal fruit and vegetables, eating less meat, and consuming less processed foods.

While cutting back on fast foods and processed meals is unlikely to turn any heads, many people may be surprised to discover that large quantities of energy and resources are involved in feeding livestock for meat production, and that reducing the amount of meat you consume can make a significant difference.

According to Dr. David Brubaker at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for a Livable Future:

“The way that we breed animals for food is a threat to the planet. It pollutes our environment while consuming huge amounts of water, grain, petroleum, pesticides and drugs. The results are disastrous.”

Despite these claims, the majority of Westerners are unlikely to convert to a wholly vegetarian or vegan diet. So how can you reduce your impact on the environment without becoming a vegetarian? The simple answer is to choose types of meat that don’t affect the environment on such a large scale. Buying locally produced meat and grass-fed livestock are two positive solutions.

According to the Livewell diet, following an eco-friendly diet doesn’t mean eating lentils and carrot sticks for every meal. The diet offers sample meal plans that are equally healthy and varied. And while wine, spirits, ice cream, and chocolate all have bigger environmental footprints than fresh, local food, simply eating less of these products will be helping to protect the environment. It also encourages buying local, organic and fairtrade foods, or even growing your own food if you can. Using spray oil to consume less fat, and cutting down on food wastage in the home will also help to redress the environmental imbalance.

In short, WWF believes that by changing the way we eat, we can enact a positive change on the environment. Less of a ‘diet’ than a change of lifestyle, the Livewell principle is a sustainable approach to eating, which will make you feel better about yourself, improve your health, and help the planet.

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About the author

EthicalLiving.com.au