Research: Planetary Health Plate

An international body of researchers have determined that a primarily plant-based food diet is the most optimal diet to support healthy people and a healthy planet.

Researchers reviewed a wide body of research on environmental impacts across varying diets to determine that a planetary health plate should primarily consist of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts. This diet would reduce an estimated 11 million lives lost per year from disease and shift food production emissions to be within safe boundaries of greenhouse gas emissions and water use for a decarbonized global energy system by 2050.

“Food is the single strongest lever to optimize human health and environmental sustainability on Earth” – EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets From Sustainable Food Systems

Find the Summary Report here or the Full Version here.

Laura Bustard is an actuary who is passionate about plants. She has conducted research on the emergency food system and prescription-produce, and recently worked for FairShare CSA Coalition in Madison, WI. She now lives in Goleta, CA, and works remotely for The Standard, holding a Masters of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and a Fellowship from the Society of Actuaries.

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