EAT-Lancet Report — A Review

by Diane Hatz ~

The EAT-Lancet Commission Report on Healthy Diets has caused a lot of discussion and debate in the food space, and we’re digging in to find out answers to questions some advocates have raised. If you haven’t heard of the report yet, EAT-Lancet brought together 37 experts from 16 countries to develop scientific targets for healthy diets from sustainable food production.

A general summary of the report’s findings include:

• The Commission calls for “widespread multi-sector, multi-level action including: a substantial global shift toward healthy dietary patterns; large reductions in food loss and waste; and major improvements in food production practices. The data are both sufficient and strong enough to warrant immediate action.” (p26)
• Our diets should include less meat and more plants. It’s healthier for us and the planet.
• By adopting a planetary health diet, we would help avoid severe environmental degradation and prevent approximately 11 million human deaths annually.
• Food production is responsible for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of freshwater use.
• Globally, over 2 billion adults are overweight or obese, and diet-related diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease are among the leading causes of…