Making small swaps in your diet, such as choosing chicken over beef or plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk, can have a significant impact on both carbon emissions and your health, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature Food. The study, co-authored by researchers from Tulane University and Stanford University, found that these simple substitutions could reduce the average American’s carbon footprint from food by 35% while also improving diet quality by 4-10%.
The researchers believe that this small changes approach could encourage more people to adopt climate-friendly eating habits. Food production is responsible for a substantial portion of greenhouse gas emissions, with beef production being a major contributor. By replacing high-impact foods with nutritionally similar, lower-emission alternatives, such as swapping a beef burger for a turkey burger or choosing plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk, individuals can make a significant difference.
Diego Rose, senior author and nutrition program director at Tulane University, emphasizes that cutting dietary carbon emissions doesn’t require a complete lifestyle change. It can be as simple as opting for a chicken burrito instead of a beef burrito when dining out or choosing soy or almond milk at the grocery store. These small changes can have a significant impact.
The study analyzed diet data from over 7,700 Americans and identified commonly eaten foods with the highest climate impact. The researchers then simulated the effects of replacing these foods with lower-carbon alternatives. They found that the largest reductions in emissions were seen in mixed dishes like burritos and pastas, where it’s easy to substitute a lower-impact protein for beef.
The study also highlighted the importance of addressing children’s diets. While protein swaps may be more effective for adults, switching children to plant-based milk can have a meaningful impact on their carbon footprint and help instill positive habits from an early age.
Moreover, the study unexpectedly revealed that these diet substitutions not only reduce carbon emissions but also lead to improvements in the overall healthfulness of the diet. Although the researchers did not intend to identify healthy alternatives specifically, they found that swapping to lower-carbon foods resulted in sizable improvements in diet quality.
Anna Grummon, lead author and assistant professor at Stanford University, emphasizes that sustainable diets and healthy diets have common ground. By making just one substitution or one swap, individuals can achieve meaningful changes in both their climate outcomes and the healthfulness of their diets.
The research provides evidence that small changes can have a significant impact, although they may not be a cure-all for climate objectives or personal health goals. It illustrates the potential of adopting a more sustainable and health-conscious approach to eating by making simple, accessible swaps in our daily food choices.
In a world where food production and consumption significantly contribute to climate change, these findings offer a glimmer of hope. By making conscious decisions about what we eat, we have the power to reduce our carbon footprint while improving our own health and well-being. So why not start with something as simple as choosing a chicken burrito or plant-based milk? Sometimes, the smallest changes can make the biggest difference.
