"Just 9 Ounces a Week"

Public health campaigns and dietary guidelines often advise us to eat less meat and incorporate more legumes into our diets. But what does "less" really mean in practical terms? A groundbreaking study by researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), published in Nature Food, provides a concrete answer: 255 grams (approximately 9 ounces) of poultry or pork per week is the maximum amount that can be consumed without exceeding the planet's environmental limits. However, when it comes to beef, even modest consumption surpasses these boundaries.

Understanding the Study

The primary end of the DTU study was to determine whether it's possible to meet the nutritive requirements of the global population without exceeding planetary boundaries. The experimenters concluded that it's indeed doable but achieving this requires significant changes in both global programs and individual salutary habits.

Caroline H. Gebara, a postdoctoral experimenter at DTU Sustain and lead author of the study, emphasized that indeed moderate quantities of red meat in one's diet are inharmonious with the Earth's capacity to regenerate coffers." Our computations show that indeed moderate quantities of red meat in one’s diet are inharmonious with what the earth can regenerate of coffers grounded on the environmental factors we looked at in the study," she stated.

The Importance of Specific Guidelines

While numerous people understand the need to reduce meat consumption for environmental and health reasons, the conception of" eating lower meat" can be vague and delicate to apply. To address this, the DTU experimenters handed a specific guideline ** 255 grams of flesh or pork per week **. This palpable figure allows individualities to make further informed choices when shopping and mess planning.

For case, in Danish supermarkets, a typical pack of two funk bone fillets weighs around 280 grams, slightly above the recommended daily limit for one person. This practical illustration helps consumers fantasize and cleave to sustainable meat consumption situations.

Environmental Impacts of Meat Consumption

The study's findings align with broader research indicating that meat-heavy diets have a significantly higher environmental impact compared to plant-based diets. A study tracking the dietary habits of approximately 57,000 individuals in the UK found that vegans have just 30% of the dietary environmental impact of high-meat eaters. The research linked dietary data to key environmental measures such as greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use, water pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Also, the environmental costs associated with meat consumption are n't limited to hothouse gas emigrations. The meat assiduity is also a major contributor to deforestation, particularly in regions like Brazil, where timbers are cleared to make way for cattle ranching. This deforestation not only releases stored carbon dioxide but also reduces the earth's capacity to absorb unborn emigrations.

Sustainable Diets: Beyond the All-or-Nothing Approach

The DTU study highlights that sustainable diets can take various forms. While piscatorial, vegetarian, and vegan diets are likely to stay within the planet's limits, this doesn't mean that all meat consumption is inherently unsustainable. The key is moderation and balance.

For illustration, diets that include dairy or eggs can also be sustainable, handed that the overall salutary pattern is healthy and the consumption of these beast products is within reasonable limits. Gebara notes," A sustainable diet does not have to be each- or- nothing However, it’s still possible to include them in a diet that’s healthy and climate-friendly — so long as the rest of your food choices support that balance, If rubbish or eggs are important to you."

The Role of Policy and Individual Choices

Achieving a sustainable food system requires both top-down policy interventions and bottom-up individual actions. On a global scale, political measures are needed to promote sustainable agricultural practices, reduce food waste, and incentivize plant-based diets. At the individual level, consumers can make a significant impact by choosing foods that align with planetary health guidelines.

Gebara emphasizes the significance of furnishing individualities with better guidance and fabrics to support sustainable choices." The individual shift will be much easier if we've better guidance and fabrics that support sustainable choices," she states.

Conclusion

The DTU study offers a clear and actionable guideline for sustainable meat consumption: 255 grams of poultry or pork per week. By adhering to this recommendation and considering the environmental impacts of our dietary choices, we can contribute to a healthier planet. Sustainable diets are not about complete elimination of animal products but about making informed, balanced choices that align with both personal health and planetary well-being.

For more detailed information, refer to the original study:

Title: Diets can be consistent with planetary limits and health targets at the individual level Authors: Caroline H. Gebara, Etienne Berthet, Madeleine I. D. Vandenabeele, Olivier Jolliet, Alexis Laurent Published: in Nature Food DOI: 10.1038/s43016-025-01133-y