Healthy diet: a step toward a sustainable diet by reducing water footprint

Abstract

BACKGROUND This paper aims to assess different scenarios that reduce water use by following healthy diet recommendations. In this study, a food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the usual food intake of a sample of 723 individuals, aged 20–64 years, from Urmia, Iran. In order to calculate water use for production of food items, the water footprint method was applied. A linear programming technique was used to find a healthy diet with low blue water footprint in three scenarios. RESULTS The biggest decline in water use compared with real intake (57%) was found in scenario 1, where the model‐generated consider energy intake equal to usual energy intake. In scenario 2, in which the proportion of each food group was allowed to be in accordance with the Iranian food pyramid, the reduction in water use was less than for scenario 1 (47%). In scenario 3, where the Recommended Dietary Allowance values were also added to the set of model restrictions, the water usage was 51% of the real diet. CONCLUSION A healthy diet with greater proportion of energy from fruit and dairy instead of a diet with high proportion of energy from ‘meat–fish–poultry–eggs’ and ‘bread–cereal–rice–pasta’ can supply all Recommended Dietary Allowances while reducing water use. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Association between the socio-economic status of households and a more sustainable diet

“…In addition, higher SES and urban areas have been significantly associated with the higher consumption of protein and animal-based foods (38) . More sustainable diets are accommodated with the highest amount of plant-based foods, especially starchy foods (33,39) .…”

Designing a healthy, low-cost and environmentally sustainable food basket: an optimisation study

“…In the study of Green et al in the UK, around 40 % reductions in GHGe achieved by a diet contained fewer animal products and processed snacks and more fruit, vegetables and cereals (49) . In comparison with the usual consumption in Iran, a healthy and lower water footprint food basket had a greater proportion of energy from fruit and dairy instead of a 'meat-fish-poultry-eggs' and 'bread-cereal-rice-pasta' food groups (19) . According to the EAT-lancet recommendation, a diet rich in plant-based foods and with fewer animal source foods confers both improved health and environmental benefits (50) .…”

“…A sustainable food basket which is in line with recommendations for a healthy diet and considers the economic and environmental aspect of the diet is essential and efficient to achieve a more sustainable diet in Iran (19) . Therefore, this study was aimed to develop a healthy, low-cost and environmental-friendly food basket for Iran based on current consumption patterns.…”

Widespread Dietary Patterns (Healthy and Balanced Diet, Western Diet, and Vegan and Vegetarian Diets) Compared for Water Consumption: Which Is the Winner?

“…* The characteristics of these diets provided by the authors [18,19,21,24] correspond to a Western diet [13,15]. Considering an ideal male subject of age between 30 and 59, weight 69 kg, who does not have specific nutritional requirements, it was estimated that the Western diet has an energetical content of 2459 kcal, proteins 97 g, fat 105 g, carbohydrates 303 g. • These dietary patterns described by the authors [21][22][23][24] correspond to the model of the Healthy Eating Plate [14]. Considering an ideal male subject of age between 30 and 59, weight 69 kg, who does not have specific nutritional requirements, it was estimated that the Healthy and Balanced diet has an energetical content of 2184 kcal, proteins 71 g, fat 81 g, carbohydrates 314 g. V The characteristics of the Vegan diet referred to the definition provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics [11].…”

“…We only included seven studies in the final synthesis (please see Figure 1) that investigated water consumption by comparing at least two dietary patterns in terms of WF among Healthy and Balanced Diet, Western Diet, and Vegan and Vegetarian diets. The studies included in the final synthesis were: five research articles, one report and one systematic review [18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”