The climate regime improves health and reduces CO2 emissions

What’s better than a healthy diet? Healthy eating that can also help save the planet, of course. Here’s what you need to know about the Climate Diet and its benefits on Earth Day

We’re always looking for diets that can keep us healthy, but what if you could also make the earth healthier while you’re at it?

To mark Earth Day on Friday, April 22, the leading nutrition app Lifetime revealed the Climatarian diet, which, if followed by all Britons, would be equivalent to removing 85 million cars from the roads each year.

Drs Alona Pulde and Matthew Lederman from Lifesum provided advice on how eating better can improve our health while reducing our carbon footprint.

Here’s what you need to know about the Climatarian diet and its health benefits.

What is the climatarian regime?

The Climatarian diet is a nutritious way of eating that focuses on plant-based foods and reducing meat consumption. Dr. Alona Pulde has created a seven-day meal plan that includes chicken and bean patties with mashed potatoes and broccoli, plus vegan bolognese and pasta.

Dr Pulde said: “Adopting a climate diet can improve health and save our planet. The main goal is to reduce animal products and eat more plant foods, as these have a lower carbon footprint.

This means meat and dairy lovers don’t have to completely cut these foods out of their diets. Instead, the diet is all about being aware of the CO2 impact of the foods you eat and choosing eco-friendly options like locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

What are the health benefits of the Climatarian Diet?

From reducing the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol to improving mental health and simply extending our lifespan, here are the top five benefits of the Climatarian diet:

Weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight – People who eat meat are three times more likely to be obese than vegetarians and nine times more likely than vegans. Being overweight in turn increases the risk of heart disease by up to 28%. Choosing whole, plant-based foods that are high in fiber, water, and nutrients, and low in fat, sugar, and salt help gain and maintain weight.

Reduces high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol – Plant-based diets have been shown to reduce the risk of high blood pressure by 34% and bad cholesterol by up to 30%.

Improves mood and reduces depression – Diets containing large amounts of red or processed meat, refined grains, high-fat dairy products, and sweets have been linked to an increased risk of depression. Meanwhile, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will reduce the risk of depression and improve your mood.

Improves the health of your skin – Whole plant foods are super rich in nutrients, including antioxidants, which keep skin looking younger and healthier while reducing blemishes and improving acne.

Helps to live longer – Switching to a plant-based diet could reduce mortality as well as greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10% and 70% respectively by 2050.

How to Make Better Climate Diet Choices

Here are the top questions that can help you make better climate choices to reduce carbon emissions.

Where can I include beans, lentils and peas in my diet? These are eco-friendly options that are also delicious and nutritious can replace meat like beef in your meal to bring you up to 74% closer to meeting your carbon emissions goals.

Can I try whole grains instead of refined grains? Choosing brown rice over white, whole-wheat or lentil pasta over refined choices not only improves your health, but also your carbon footprint. Whole grains like oats, barley, wheat, and rice generally use less water than other crops, with the added benefit of eliminating the extra energy needed for processing.

Can I buy in bulk instead of packaged? 30-40% of food ends up in landfills and produces toxic greenhouse gases like methane. Buying in bulk, planning ahead, and buying only what you need can help reduce food waste, unload our overflowing landfills, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

How to avoid plastic packaging? Buying more minimally processed foods means you’re healthier and can also reduce plastic packaging to reduce your carbon footprint.

Should I choose chicken and pork over beef and lamb? The production of meat such as beef consumes more land and water and has higher carbon emissions. So replacing beef with chicken can nearly halve your carbon footprint.

Is this food seasonal and local? Choosing locally sourced, seasonal fruits and vegetables helps reduce the CO2 impact.

Although the Climatarian Diet has many health and earth benefits, Dr. Matthew Lederman says, “Don’t force yourself to follow the Climatarian Diet because it rarely leads to long-term results.”

He advises: “Instead, try to address any underlying needs you have, for example, the need for more information, support or reassurance. Those who follow the Climatarian diet, or any diet, have just met the underlying needs that kept them from changing. their behavior in the first place.”