Eat Smart, Reduce, Love the Planet

Eat Smart, Reduce, Love the Planet

By: Karina L. Delgado

            Americans are urged to think twice next time they order the double meat burger. In addition to human health impacts, the future of earth’s agricultural resources is another reason to live a healthy lifestyle. A plethora of research supports the notion that healthier diets contribute less to cropland waste; relative to meals of minimal nutritional value. However, the direct impacts of food waste and dietary habits on the environment have not been studied in depth. The issue of food waste generation is of growing concern due to the striking number of food waste generated annually. Recent data determined that an estimated 2 billion people may be fed with the amount of food waste produced at a global scale. Moreover, an excessive number of agricultural pesticides and nitrogen are applied to produce the non-consumed food. This, in turn, presents harmful threats to various ecosystems as well as human health. A 2018 study quantified the measure of human produced food waste on the environment. U.S. national data was compiled for this study in order to accurately measure the magnitude of impact of food waste on environmental sustainability. Once the numerical data was obtained, it was computed in a stimulation model to measure cropland usage for excess food. After much scientific inquiry, the data supported the notion that a higher nutritional value diet reduced cropland waste; however it  generated significantly more agricultural waste. The agricultural industry may apply data from this research to reduce irrigation usage and pollutant emissions. Consumers must make the decision to inform themselves of the financial as well as health benefits of switching to a healthier diet. By funding additional research on this topic of interest, as well as educating the public; the future of environmentally sustainable agricultural practices; as well as human health may be enhanced. 

Graphical representation of the relationship between cropland waste and diet type. The higher quintile numbers indicate a higher quality diet.

Graphical representation of the association between food waste generation and diet type. The higher quintile numbers indicate a higher quality diet. 

Citation:

Conrad Z, Niles MT, Neher DA, Roy ED, Tichenor NE, Jahns L (2018) Relationship between food waste, diet quality, and environmental sustainability. PLoS ONE 13(4): e0195405. https:// doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195405