We need to reach peak meat as soon as possible

The EAT-Lancet Commission consists of a group of scientists who have gotten together to find what the evidence shows is the best diet for health and the planet and to answer the question: "Can we feed a future population of 10 billion people a healthy diet within planetary boundaries?".

They developed guidelines out of this evidence and called it the Planetary Health Diet.

An example breakdown of a diet based on the Planetary Health Diet guidelines

From the Commission: "The planetary health diet is flexible by providing guidelines to ranges of different food groups that together constitute an optimal diet for human health and environmental sustainability. It emphasises a plant-forward diet where whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes comprise a greater proportion of foods consumed. Meat and dairy constitute important parts of the diet but in significantly smaller proportions than whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes."

A lot of these guidlines are not groundbreaking but solidify the knowledge we have that the animal agriculture industry is unsustainable and is a substantial factor in many of the environmental issues that we currently face.

Food Matters Live reported on some of the commission's findings in an interesting article, "Time’s up: reaching ‘peak meat’ and shifting to plant-based is no longer an option, but a need".

From the article: "A huge reduction in meat eating is essential to avoid climate breakdown, with beef consumption needing to drop by a hefty 90% in western countries, and be replaced by five times more beans and pulses."

"Meat consumption is particularly high in China, Brazil, North America and Australia, but countries including the UK, Germany and the Netherlands are beginning to cut down meat through a mix of policies, investment in alternative proteins and consumer messaging strategies."

Read the whole article here.

Twist and Sprout is 100% vegan and provides plenty of options for reducing your consumption of meat and other animal products. Check out what's in stock in our online store, or pop in to the shop at 62 Mackay St, Rochester.