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Our Planet on Your Fork

Our Food, Our Planet

The foods we eat play an important role in the condition of our planet. Our choice to eat a certain food affects the environment, culture, and economy. The typical American diet is meat-centered. This means that a meal does not seem complete without a large portion of meat. Our meat-centered diet also reflects the perceived affluence of American society, because meat is more expensive to produce and store than fruits, grains, legumes and vegetables.

Unfortunately, there are some major drawbacks to a meat-centered diet. One of these is the environmental impact of raising animals for food. To provide for the "billions and billions served," vast areas of natural habitat must be overrun with cattle, thus pushing other forms of plants and animals out of existence. Secondly, it takes many servings of wheat, corn, soybeans, and other agricultural products to create just one small serving of meat. Essentially, we sacrifice large quantities of inexpensive, healthy foods so that we can consume small amounts of expensive, environmentally destructive food that contributes to major diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Not all nations eat like we do. Societies observing plant-based diets require far fewer resources for food (see chart). An estimated three-fourths of the world's population follows a plant-based diet that is economically and ecologically sound, while also resulting in lower rates of major diseases. With few exceptions, land that is currently growing grain for livestock could be growing grain for humans or left unplowed to stop erosion and other ecological damage.

Still, developing countries are anxious to prove that they can keep pace with the US. These nations are "Americanizing" their diets by importing meat and setting up American fast food chains in major cities. Environmentally, the export of American eating habits is a dangerous trend. The water, energy, and land resources required to feed the entire world American-style are simply not available. Culturally, such dietary changes challenge the religious beliefs and lifestyles of billions of people. Economically, developing nations must work even harder to supply the same number of calories and other nutrients. In addition, healthcare costs would increase dramatically due to the health risks associated with heavy consumption of animal products.

However, if developed nations like the U.S. moved towards the more sustainable plant-based diet of less developed countries, this would help preserve the world's dwindling resources and preserve the natural environment. We can encourage this healthy shift through the choices we make each day at restaurants and grocery stores. How are your food choices affecting your planet?

Chart: Per Person Grain Use and Consumption of Livestock Products (lbs).

Grain

1,780

880

660

440

Country

Italy

China

India

Beef

Poultry

.04

Mutton

Milk

597

401

Cheese

Eggs

Questions

How much of the world eats a plant-based diet?

What is the Americanization of developing countries?

Which country uses the most grain? Consumes the most animals?

Which country uses the least grain? Consumes the least animal products?

How are your food choices affecting the planet?

CHOICE (Consumers for Healthy Options in Children's Education) works to promote plant-based meals and
nutrition education in schools. This lesson is adapted from "HeartFest At School" by the American Heart Association.


		*Our Planet on Your Fork*								*Our Food, Our Planet*




The foods we eat play an important role in the condition of our planet. Our choice to eat a certain food affects the environment, culture, and economy. The typical American diet is meat-centered. This means that a meal does not seem complete without a large portion of meat. Our meat-centered diet also reflects the perceived affluence of American society, because meat is more expensive to produce and store than fruits, grains, legumes and vegetables. Unfortunately, there are some major drawbacks to a meat-centered diet. One of these is the environmental impact of raising animals for food. To provide for the "billions and billions served," vast areas of natural habitat must be overrun with cattle, thus pushing other forms of plants and animals out of existence. Secondly, it takes many servings of wheat, corn, soybeans, and other agricultural products to create just one small serving of meat. Essentially, we sacrifice large quantities of inexpensive, healthy foods so that we can consume small amounts of expensive, environmentally destructive food that contributes to major diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Not all nations eat like we do. Societies observing plant-based diets require far fewer resources for food (see chart). An estimated three-fourths of the world's population follows a plant-based diet that is economically and ecologically sound, while also resulting in lower rates of major diseases. With few exceptions, land that is currently growing grain for livestock could be growing grain for humans or left unplowed to stop erosion and other ecological damage. Still, developing countries are anxious to prove that they can keep pace with the US. These nations are "Americanizing" their diets by importing meat and setting up American fast food chains in major cities. Environmentally, the export of American eating habits is a dangerous trend. The water, energy, and land resources required to feed the entire world American-style are simply not available. Culturally, such dietary changes challenge the religious beliefs and lifestyles of billions of people. Economically, developing nations must work even harder to supply the same number of calories and other nutrients. In addition, healthcare costs would increase dramatically due to the health risks associated with heavy consumption of animal products. However, if developed nations like the U.S. moved towards the more sustainable plant-based diet of less developed countries, this would help preserve the world's dwindling resources and preserve the natural environment. We can encourage this healthy shift through the choices we make each day at restaurants and grocery stores. How are your food choices affecting your planet?



			*Chart: Per Person Grain Use and Consumption of Livestock Products (lbs).*

					Grain 1,780 880 660 440
		Country US Italy China India				Beef 93 35 2 -	Poultry 62 44 2 .04		Mutton 2 2 7 .2		Milk 597 401 2 68	Cheese 26 26 9 -	Eggs 35 26 15 29
		Country US Italy China India				Beef 93 35 2 -	Poultry 62 44 2 .04		Mutton 2 2 7 .2		Milk 597 401 2 68	Cheese 26 26 9 -

								Questions



				How much of the world eats a plant-based diet? What is the Americanization of developing countries? Which country uses the most grain? Consumes the most animals? Which country uses the least grain? Consumes the least animal products? How are your food choices affecting the planet?



	CHOICE (Consumers for Healthy Options in Children's Education) works to promote plant-based meals and nutrition education in schools. This lesson is adapted from "HeartFest At School" by the American Heart Association.