Publication date: June 18, 2021
Today is World Sustainable Gastronomy Day, established by the United Nations to highlight the importance of environmentally respectful food that can safeguard the ecosystem and human health.
For some years now, the topic of food has forcefully entered national and international political agendas. The challenges to face are many: by 2050, to meet population growth, food production will need to increase by more than 70%, putting pressure on planetary resources. At the same time, the number of people suffering from food shortages is worrying, as well as those who are overweight and suffer from obesity. For years, the food system has only worsened our impact on the planet, leading to enormous waste and exacerbating social inequalities.
With the pandemic and the green revolution, these contradictions are coming to light, and there is an increasing awareness of the need to revolutionize the way food is produced and consumed. On the consumer side in particular, sustainable diets are often discussed. In a previous article, we introduced the world of climatarians, those who aim to fight climate change through their food choices. But what is the most sustainable diet for the planet?
The Mediterranean diet
Always considered a heart-healthy diet, since the 1990s the Mediterranean diet has begun to be seen as an example of a balanced and environmentally sustainable diet. Thanks to the high consumption of vegetables, legumes, fresh and dried fruit, olive oil, and cereals, the moderate consumption of fish and dairy products (especially cheese and yogurt), and the even more moderate consumption of meat and sweets, this dietary model can truly be called doubly beneficial, for us and for the planet. It is estimated that to obtain 100 calories, the Mediterranean diet causes an environmental impact about 60% lower than a North American or Northern European diet, which rely more heavily on animal fats and meat.
In 2013, the Mediterranean diet became an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, as it benefits health while promoting the production of low environmental impact food and the conservation of biodiversity.
Beyond environmental benefits, a sustainable diet like the Mediterranean one brings a series of social and economic advantages. The consumption of local and seasonal products, in fact, helps enhance businesses and territories, preserving traditional flavors. Moreover, adopting a healthy eating style leads to a reduction in national medical expenses: by following a balanced diet like the Mediterranean one, it is possible to maintain a healthy weight, with lower cardiovascular risks and a mortality reduction of up to 30%.
Is the Mediterranean diet disappearing?
Paradoxically, in Southern Italy, the cradle of the Mediterranean diet, there is a reversal of dietary trends: from a diet based on cereals and plant-based foods, people are moving towards increasingly "packaged" foods. This has led to an increase in people with obesity problems, now 11% of the population in the southern regions of our peninsula.
Unfortunately, this is a phenomenon occurring in all Mediterranean countries, especially among the younger generations. The alarm was raised a few years ago by Joao Breda, head of the European office of the WHO: "The Mediterranean diet for children in these countries is dead, and the closest to the Mediterranean diet are the Swedes."
The advent of sweets and junk food has started a nutritional transition that is moving young people in Mediterranean countries away from this extraordinary diet, risking the loss of a vast social, cultural, and environmental heritage. Now more than ever, it is important to retrace our steps, trying to rediscover those flavors and that healthy lifestyle that make our region unique in the world.
Sources:
- https://www.innesti.com/2-equilibri/dieta-mediterranea-salute-cultura-e-sostenibilita/
- https://biopianeta.it/2018/05/dieta-mediterranea-addio-la-seguono-solo-in-svezia/
- https://wonderwhy.it/what-is-the-most-sustainable-diet-for-us-and-for-the-planet/#:~:text=It is essential to increase the intake,food compared to other foods.
