Abstract
Dietary preferences, with strong effects on human health and environmental sustainability including climate change, is an emerging scientific discipline of nutrition ecology. Whereas poor food choices are a serious health issue in low- and middle-income countries, malnutrition (hidden hunger) is also a growing concern in developed economies. A western diet based on red meat may be unhealthy and unsustainable because of its adverse impacts on soil, water, air, biodiversity, and human health. Traditional animal-based diets (ABDs) may have aggravated public-health crisis, accelerated anthropogenic climate change, increased vulnerability to pandemics, and accentuated social/psychological anxieties. In comparison, plant-based diets (PBDs) have low health risks, reduced emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and less consumption of water and other natural resources. Adoption of PBDs may benefit people and spare some land and water for nature. In addition to lower health risks (i.e., some cancers, obesity, cardiovascular diseases), PDBs also have life-enhancing potential. Recent increasing focus on PBDs may also be due to ethical concerns about animal welfare and environmental friendliness. However, there are several barriers and challenges to adoption of PBDs. Strict vegan diet may aggravate malnutrition among children, nursing mothers, and elderly population. Rather than a radical transition, a holistic approach to PBDs may be an appropriate strategy. A holistic strategy would include using animal products judiciously, balancing human and planetary health through PBDs, and sparing land/water for nature. In contrast with ABDs, balanced PBDs can improve human health and have a positive environmental impact.