Benefits of the planetary diet recommended by Harvard

The planetary diet, initially proposed to promote sustainable eating and improve the health of the planet, has also proven to be extremely beneficial for human health.

This type of diet focuses on reducing the environmental impact of the food system and, at the same time, promoting healthy habits that can prevent chronic diseases.

A recent study by the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health has confirmed these benefits.

Beneficial option for health and the planet

Harvard researchers analyzed data from more than 200,000 people over up to 34 years, using results from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

The findings revealed that people who closely followed the planetary diet had a 30% lower risk of premature death, in addition to a lower incidence of diseases such as cancer, heart and respiratory diseases.

Professor Walter Willett of Harvard University, co-author of the study, highlights the importance of changing our eating habits not only for the good of the planet, but also for our own health.

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A balanced diet allows you to obtain the necessary nutrients to take care of the body.

What does it consist of?

The planetary diet, By focusing on foods with low environmental impact, it also promotes a diet rich in essential nutrients that are vital for the prevention of chronic diseases.

The planetary diet is based on the consumption of 2,500 kilocalories daily, with an emphasis on increasing the quantity and variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. It is recommended to moderate the consumption of foods of animal origin, such as meat and dairy products.

This diet is flexible and can be adapted to local food traditions and individual preferences, making it accessible to people from different cultures and regions.

The EAT-The Lancet commission has developed a planetary plate model based on this diet that suggests the following distribution of food groups:

Half of the plate: Vegetables and fruits.

Other half of the plate: Whole grains, plant protein sources (legumes, nuts and seeds), unsaturated vegetable oils (such as olive oil) and, optionally, small amounts of animal proteins (beef, lamb, poultry, eggs, fish).

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recommendations

The Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC) offers some basic recommendations for following the planetary diet:

Buy locally: Get around on foot or bike to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support local commerce.

Consume local and seasonal products: This reduces polluting gas emissions and protects the ecosystem.

Choose organic products: Organic farming is more resistant to climate change and retains more CO2 than intensive agriculture.

Reduce meat consumption: Meat production consumes many resources and is a large emitter of greenhouse gases.

Improve your way of cooking: Use efficient appliances and cooking methods that use less energy.

Avoid food waste: Take advantage of leftovers and take with you what you don’t end up in restaurants.

Don’t use plastic: Prefer to buy in bulk and bring your own reusable bags.

Recycle: Adopt the motto of “reduce, recycle and reuse.”