Such diets consist primarily of plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. They also include moderate amounts of seafood and animal products, such as lean meats, eggs, and dairy.
The EAT-Lancet diet has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, promoting a healthy gut microbiota, and reducing environmental impact.
In order to make it easier for individuals to adopt this healthy and sustainable diet, researchers from Oxford University and other institutions developed a system to rate food items based on their nutritional and environmental impact. This system, known as the Planetary Health Star Rating (PHS) was published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition in 2022.
The PHS uses a five-star rating system, with higher star ratings indicating foods that are healthier and more sustainable. Foods are assessed based on their nutritional content and their impact on greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use. Foods that are low in saturated fat, sugar, and salt and high in fiber and micronutrients receive higher ratings, and foods that are associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions and land and water use receive higher ratings.
The authors have calculated PHS ratings for more than 60,000 food products, including foods from supermarkets, restaurants, and food outlets around the world. Here are a few examples of how popular food items are rated:
- Apples: 4.5 stars (high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants; low in greenhouse gas emissions)
- Beef: 0.5 stars (high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and greenhouse gas emissions)
- Oatmeal: 4 stars (high in fiber, protein, and iron; low in greenhouse gas emissions)
- Pizza: 1.5 stars (high in saturated fat, sodium, and calories; high in greenhouse gas emissions)
- Salmon: 4 stars (high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B12; low in greenhouse gas emissions)
- Soda: 0 stars (high in sugar and calories; high in greenhouse gas emissions)
- Whole wheat bread: 3.5 stars (high in fiber, protein, and vitamins; low in greenhouse gas emissions)
By providing this information, the researchers hope to help consumers make healthier and more sustainable food choices. The PHS rating system can be used in a variety of settings, including supermarkets, restaurants, and schools, and can be a valuable tool for individuals looking to improve their diet and reduce their environmental impact.
