New results from the EAT-Lancet Commission (a three-year project bringing together 37 professionals from 16 nations with expertise in health, nutrition, environmental sustainability, food systems, economics and political governance) provide new goals for a healthy diet from a sustainable food production system operating within planetary limits. The study recommends diets that consist of a wide variety of plant-based foods, and reduced amounts of: animal-based foods, refined grains, highly processed foods, and added sugars.

Human diets are inextricably linked to environmental sustainability, and have the potential to nurture both. Modern diets and food production methods, however, push the Earth beyond its limits while contributing to the global health epidemic. This threatens us and our planet. Providing healthy diets from sustainable food systems is an urgent challenge as the population continues to expand— expected to reach 10 billion by 2050.

Dietary changes must be combined with improved food production and reduced food waste to overcome this challenge. The researchers emphasize the need for unprecedented worldwide coordination and commitment, as well as immediate improvements such as refocusing agriculture to create diverse plants rich in nutrients, and improved land and water management.