Have you been hearing the dire predictions about the future of our world? I know many people who feel helpless in the face of it. But there is at least one thing you can control: your diet. Switching to the Planetary Health Diet is a choice we can all make for ourselves and each other.
In January 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission of Food, Planet, Health released a report called the “planetary health diet” where URGENT global dietary changes were recommended.
Thirty prominent scientists deliberated for three years before releasing their recommendations in the world’s most prestigious journal, The Lancet.1,2
The food supply as it exists today is not able to feed the 7.5 billion people who currently inhabit the earth. There are currently 820 million people not sufficiently fed and there are no plans to feed the 2.5 billion more people who will populate the earth by 2050.1,2
“Providing a growing global population with healthy diets from sustainable food systems is an immediate challenge. Although global food production of calories has kept pace with population growth, more than 820 million people have insufficient food and many more consume low-quality diets that cause micronutrient deficiencies and contribute to a substantial rise in the incidence of diet-related obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Unhealthy diets pose a greater risk to morbidity and mortality than does unsafe sex, and alcohol, drug, and tobacco use combined. Because much of the world’s population is inadequately nourished and many environmental systems and processes are pushed beyond safe boundaries by food production, a global transformation of the food system is urgently needed.”1
According to Harvard professor and study co-chair Walter Willett, there is need for concern and a drastic dietary shift. Here are some of the highlights:6
- Nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from fertilizers is creating oxygen-depleted dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere.
- Clearing land to grow food for animals is destroying forests and pasturelands, leading to an unprecedented rate of species extinction.
- Currently, 70% of the world’s water is used to grow food and there are serious worldwide water shortages now.
- Methane gas from cattle lingers as a greenhouse gas 25 times longer than carbon dioxide. Cows are ruminants and produce a significant amount of gas, burping, and flatulence—all methane gas.
- Cows take 1.5 years for grain-fed and 2.5 for grass-fed to reach market. The longer they’re alive, the more carbon dioxide they will breathe out and methane gas they will produce.
- Chickens reach market in six weeks and pigs six months, making chicken and pigs a better animal protein choice.
- 45% of the world’s grain feeds livestock.
- 35% of grain produces ethanol to fuel cars.
- 15% of grain is used for high fructose corn syrup.
- 10% of grain feeds humans.
- Dairy cattle have a lower carbon and environmental footprint than beef cattle, but feeding grain to cattle at the rate we do is simply not sustainable.
- Oceans, lakes, and streams are already overfished and there are pollution concerns with eating too much fish. China is way ahead of us in producing fish through aquaculture.
- Vegetable oils are unsustainable and most of them are highly refined, processed, and unhealthy.
- To create a diet that would feed 10 billion people, they evaluated eliminating all food waste on the planet, determining how much greenhouse gases were sustainable, how much fertilizer could be used, and what diet would sustainably feed 10 billion people by the year 2050. Bottom line—after three years of research by 30 of the world’s top earth scientists—without dramatic changes in the food we eat, the planet will simply not be able to produce the food we need.
- The solution: become 100% dependent on green energy by 2050. The agricultural industry is a major fossil fuel consumer and switching to green energy as soon as possible is their solution.
Enter Planetary Health Diet
Like the diet I have been writing about—the one the centenarians eat, the one the best longevity scientists suggest, and the one like suggested as part of an Ayurvedic diet—the “planetary health diet,” as published in the Lancet Commission, says we should eat primarily plant-based with small amounts of meat and dairy.
The planetary diet is not suggesting vegetarians start eating meat or dairy. Vegetarians are way ahead of the curve—it is just making the urgent case that if we do not cut meat and animal protein consumption down, we will not be able to feed the population nor ward off the impact of global warming. They did also consider the health benefits of eating less meat and animal protein.
The commission suggests eating one-half ounce of beef per day, three ounces a week, or a 12-ounce steak once per month. Traditionally, as seen in the Mediterranean Diet and with centenarians, our ancestors would cook a piece of meat in a stew and everyone in the family would get a very small portion once or twice a week, delivering roughly three ounces per week.
What is the Planetary Health Diet?6
- Mostly plants: green and colorful vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes are the core foods.
- Dairy: (optional) one serving milk, cheese, or yogurt per day
- Eggs or poultry: one egg or three and a half ounces of fish or poultry per day
- Swap one serving of egg, dairy, fish, or poultry for the three and a half ounces of red meat once per week.
- If needed: snack on fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, or whole grain crackers
The best longevity science suggests we should eat a 90% plant-based diet with 10% animal protein. The source of the 10% can vary. Here are samples of how some cultures got their animal protein:
- Longevity science: fish is best, followed by small and varying amounts of meat or dairy3
- Centenarians (live to over 100): a mix of fish, meat, and dairy—all wild or grass-fed4
- Ayurveda: 90% plant-based with 10% mostly from cultured grass-fed dairy5
Read my article Making Senses of the Diet Wars for more details on what we should be eating.
Thank you for cutting down on meat and helping save the world!
Jonny says
April 7, 2019 at 12:23 pmAs said above Ayurvedic diet was before this insane climate scam. You dont have to mix in the climate scam in it. CO2 has nothing to do with nothing.
CO2 is not a good reason to how you should eat. Our plants do feed on CO2 so more CO2 is more Green plants. We eat the ayurvedic way because its healthy and thats that. OR that should be that.
http://www.petitionproject.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqejXs7XgsU
Vacheslav says
April 5, 2019 at 2:45 amAnd the flattery continues, Dr. John doesn’t actually believe in what he saying, he is just subduing to the Macdugall guy to which he lost the argument. Plain and simple, this is facist talk, Hitler is an angel in comparison to the next generations of loyal followers. It was already stated that carbon helps plants survive and that “global warming” is such a tobacco science that they had to rebrand it to “Climate Change”..wuhahahaha.. the moronic argument of there are too much people on the planet, only starts to make sense if you murder your own children, when in fact as many priests state, that the whole planetary population can be fitted in the moscow region (not just the city) with 1m clearance appart, lastly if it is congested in where you live and their forcing chem trails over you, just be wise and move to the country side, until the antichrist comes when the wise will have to run to the forests or the mountains (when available 🙂
EvaMaria says
April 5, 2019 at 1:31 amLong before people talked about ‘saving the planet’ Ayurveda already recommended a vegetarian diet (not vegan) but did not exclude eating meat. Problem is now that we eat far too much meat and dairy and that the conditions in which the animals live cannot give us nor the planet any health. When we return to moderate consumption, we will improve our health and the health of the planet. Just by reducing dairy consumption we already reduce the use of refrigerators (electricity) and plastic. Fact is our bodies do not need this overload of wrongly produced animal proteins. And indeed, everybody is different and that is why Ayurveda recommends different meats, fish and dairy products and quantities according to the constitution, not according to ‘I want or I like’.
EvaMaria says
April 5, 2019 at 1:19 amIt is very good information, but I get sometimes confused. I have the feeling that you speak sometimes of vegetarian when you mean vegan. Does a balanced vegetarian diet also need supplementation?
Ellie says
April 4, 2019 at 8:24 pmDear Dr D, I know you are recommending eating less meat, not NO meat. I know your intentions are not politically motivated, but this is obviously, a politically-charged topic! As many are sharing here, the proposed mandatory vegan diet for all, i.e. part of the Green New Deal is a Bad Deal for all, it’s a socialist agenda based on a hoax.
https://us-issues.com/2019/03/01/why-the-green-new-deal-is-a-bad-deal-for-america/
The Truth About Global Warming:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UevwKpFksu0
Piper says
April 4, 2019 at 10:53 amTRUTH! Great article. Thank you so much, Dr. John.
Samia says
April 4, 2019 at 10:28 amIt would make more sense to get to the root of the problem – overpopulation. No, dearies, I am not advocating euthanasia in any form. But it is not hard to see that the anti-reproduction forces only home in on western people, who are busy wiping themselves out through the avoidance of any more than 1 or 2 kids, but most having no offspring at all. Nary a word directed to the quickly growing populations of Africa, Asia, etc. and that they are making their way here with a continuation of having many children per woman.
Telling people to eat less meat is fine for health reasons, or animal welfare reasons (smaller production = fewer inhumane farming practices). But otherwise it is just putting lipstick on a pig. The pig being – too many humans.
No, I am not supporting UN Agenda 21 or anything else of that kind. I am just pointing out the basis of our health, social, political, financial and environmental challenges. Anyway, I’m not losing sleep because Mother Nature will deal with this without any input from me – or you.
Tami says
April 4, 2019 at 10:14 amThis is pure imagination built upon the shoulders of hysterical discussions motivated by the elite who intend to control the populace. The excellence that people like Geoff Lawton and Joel Salatin bring to the table of discussion is based upon ancient wisdom (as I formerly believed the position of this website). Large mammals work the land in a way that no implement can do. . .bringing higher rates of fertility, sustainability and sustenance to the locality. It has been demonstrated in Pennsylvania on a less desirable farm that yields of grasses multiply in comparison to neighboring farms when good management practices are followed. What do grasses/plants thrive on? Carbon!!! (livestock provide carbon). More plants and grasses (due to good management) means we get more of the plants’ output—Oxygen!!! The earth was populated with enormous herds of large mammals until we fenced and claimed our lots and plots. The earth is sick due to commercial farming, too much cement, house-upon-house and people cloaked with the appearance of wisdom. It might be time to get out from behind the desk and take a look at the real earth. There is NO limit to its abundance.
Laurel says
April 4, 2019 at 11:18 amYes, thank you for stating it so well!
stephanie gunnoe says
April 21, 2019 at 7:38 pmWell said.
BEN GREGO says
April 4, 2019 at 8:30 amI can agree with pretty much SOME of the info in this article, but I’ve always believed that we all have different needs when it comes to nutrition, etc.
Some folks thrive on meat; my late mother for one; had to have it every single day…..tried to explain to her how it leaches calcium from the bones, but she’d have nothing to do with it….sooooo she ended up being in misery with her hips and had to have surgery…..me? I can eat meat or leave it……my brother is practically a vegan…….NO ONE DIET IS BEST FOR EVERYONE ON OUR PLANET……..THE BEST we can do is try to find out what’s best FOR US AS INDIVIDUALS…& go from there!!!!!!
YES eating less meat is better for ‘the planet’ but NO it’s not for everyone…….I wish you folks that feel this way would just listen to reason…….
and you sure as hell won’t convince people about this as every one of us has to think for themselves as TO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM…..
Lindsay says
April 4, 2019 at 8:23 amI’m really surprised this article showed up on your site. The Lancet study proposed diet is high in vegetable oils and processed carbohydrate. Nowhere in this article above does the idea that grass fed animals are superior to grain fed CAFO system, and could help turn our unarable land back into prairies and pastures and create a mass carbon sink. Look into the Savory Institute here in Boulder and do an interview with Alan Savory.
India and Ayurveda praise the cow as mother energy and a life giver. A2 old breed cows are far superior to the A1 Holstein milk so prevalent in the US. Maybe we should aim for a clean food supply first and ban GMOs and glyphosate. And bring back the prairies instead of Big Ag endorsement show like the Lancet is being funded by.
Lindsay says
April 4, 2019 at 9:37 amhttps://www.greenbiz.com/article/inconvenient-truths-behind-planetary-health-diet
Brittany says
April 4, 2019 at 8:19 amAgree with all comments above comments. I agree we should eat “less” meat for HEALTH benefits. Change the title to the “green new deal” diet and you’ll be able to control more minds next time. This is the first time I’ve seen an “Ayurvedic” teacher try to instill fear by grasping and manipulating a study, with obvious political motivation.
Michelle says
April 4, 2019 at 8:40 amAgree 100% !!! CARBON DIOXIDE is LIFE-GIVING, btw… Plants need it to thrive. Very simple biology.
Laurel says
April 4, 2019 at 11:22 amI agree as well!
Helen says
April 4, 2019 at 8:18 amBelieving “dire predictions” & feeling helpless does not reflect critical thinking. Our country is prosperous because we are free. The proposed diet changes are more of a political philosophy than a health recommendation. While it is likely advisable to consume less animal protein & more plants, I do not believe the world will end if people chose not to support the green agenda.
BEN GREGO says
April 4, 2019 at 8:31 amI totally agree with you!!!…….see? great minds think alike LOL.
😀
Michelle says
April 4, 2019 at 8:42 amAgree!! This is all about the New World Order and eventual DEPOPULATION of the HUMAN species. Just ask any globalist elite–they want the planet all to themselves.
Laurel says
April 5, 2019 at 7:24 amMichelle- Yes!
Michael Leger says
April 4, 2019 at 7:52 amSnooze, snore. Another fear, uncertainty and doubt article. Confirmation bias is only one of the problems in this article and ‘study’. I’m beginning to wonder if your articles are becoming click-bait.
Brenda Burger says
April 4, 2019 at 7:43 amYes yes yes!!!!
Please everyone stop eating meat. It’s killing you and our planet.
What’s more you take on the vibration of the slaughtered animal slaughtered without dignity and insane cruelty.
Mystic/Yogi/Guru Sadhguru (Isha.com ) says depression would not be an issue if you were vegan. Anger too.
Peter says
April 4, 2019 at 12:58 pmI once saw two vegans almost come to physical blows in a heath food store in Vancouver because one had eaten some barley soup made with beef broth. No shortage of anger there, and there are many testimonials online from former vegans about the depression and anxiety disorders they suffered while on their vegan diet. I was a vegan before veganism was cool, about 1982 if I remember. It made me feel 80 years old and it was only when I reintroduced meat into my diet that I felt well again. Lets just say that some people do well on a meatless diet and some people don’t and leave it at that.
Sue says
April 4, 2019 at 7:25 amPretty disappointed in this being featured, just another case of where others think they know whats best for all. We still live in a land of choice.Fear and mens philosophies may be well intended but steps on the line of free will.
pat says
April 4, 2019 at 7:09 amWhen you actually read this study there are numerous contradictions between the interpretation of data and recommendations. Very poorly done and definitely striving for a confirmation bias. Poor science again!!!
Anton says
April 4, 2019 at 6:45 amThe mass murderous fascists of eugenic depopulation program are eventually going to win. Meanwhile, I am unsubscribing.
Laurel says
April 5, 2019 at 7:27 amWith you there. I am unsubscribing as well.