National Geographic - USA (2020-01)

UNDERCONSUMED

LE

SS

S

U

ST

A

IN

A

BL

E

M

O

R

E^

SU

ST

A

IN

A

BL

E

Added sugars

2.6%

Animal-sourced

protein

(including

dairy)

6.6%

Plant-based foods

90.8%

North America Europe & Central Asia

Latin America

& the Caribbean

Middle East

& North

Africa

Sub-Saharan

Africa

South

Asia

East Asia &

the Pacific

27% of target

8%

36%

14%

17%

PUTTING THE

PLANET ON A DIET

Can we feed 10 billion people by 2050

and also protect the environment?

A group of scientists from 16 countries

say the answer is yes. They’ve devised

targets for a nutritionally sound and

sustainably produced planetwide diet;

global consumption of foods such as

fruits and nuts would double, while that

of red meat and sugar would be cut in half.

PLANT VS. ANIMAL

Not all foods are created equal. The global diet

emphasizes plant-based foods and limits animal

products, which are linked to chronic disease and often

involve environmentally harmful production practices.

THE WORLD ON A PLATE

Scientists devised the diet by first analyzing a food’s

nutritional data and then its environmental impact. Here

that diet is broken down by food type and compared

with consumption in world regions.

*RECOMMENDED GLOBAL DIET IS BASED ON CONSUMPTION
OF 2,500 CALORIES A DAY.

MANUEL CANALES, NGM STAFF; ALEXANDER STEGMAIER

SOURCES: BRENT LOKEN, EAT; THE EAT-LANCET COMMISSION

ON FOOD, PLANET, HEALTH

SUSTAINABILITY FACTORS INCLUDE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS,

AND LAND AND ENERGY USE.

A concentrated source of vitamins,

minerals, and protein, sustainably har-

vested fish is emphasized in the diet.

These valuable sources of healthy

fats aren’t consumed as much as

they should be around the world.

Cassavas and potatoes are cheap

staples but by themselves are not

nutritionally sufficient.

The diet’s target amount—

13 grams—adds up to just

one and a half eggs a week.

Wealthier, Western Hemisphere

regions eat large amounts of poultry,

which the diet considers optional.

Meat is nutritious but unhealthy if

overconsumed. Cattle farms are a

leading source of methane emissions.

Regional breakdown per the EAT-Lancet Commission