"International research has highlighted the climate and health co-benefits that arise from consuming a diet that is rich in plant foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. Using its database, the team was then able to model climate, health, and health system cost impacts stemming from a range of dietary scenarios. As a general rule, the climate impact of animal products, particularly red and processed meats, tended to be substantially higher than that of whole plant-based foods, including vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. From there, we tailored our dietary scenarios to be progressively more plant-based — that is, substituting animal-based foods with plant-based alternatives. The researchers argued the findings should prompt national policy action, including revising the New Zealand dietary guidelines to include messaging on climate-friendly food choices.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 23, 2020 15:33 UTC