Biting Back at Climate Change: The Benefits of a Climatarian Diet

Climatarian diet: good for you and the environment

Just like the name suggests, the Climatarian diet focuses on helping the climate. The goal is to improve the way we use food and resources and reduce the waste we make. As a result, we can minimize our carbon footprint and improve the sustainability of current food systems (1). 

Certain foods have less of an impact on the environment than others. Livestock contributes to about 14.5% of all greenhouse gasses and much of their feed gets wasted (2). To reduce the planetary hit, the Climatarian diet emphasizes more plant-based foods.

Eating more plants is also helpful for our health! It’s been associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases including diabetes, heart attack, and cancer (3). Plants also better our wellbeing by providing lots of vitamins, minerals, and powerful plant components called phytonutrients. These play an essential role in maintaining health including boosting immunity, protecting our brain and heart health, and even reversing some effects of aging. 

What foods are in the Climatarian diet?

The Climarian diet goes beyond just plant-based by focusing on foods with a minimal environmental impact. To bite back at climate change, pack your plate with these planet-friendly foods: 

Carbohydrates 

Go for the whole thing! Aim for whole grain pasta, brown rice, and barley. The less processing the better, and the lower the carbon footprint. Whole versions also offer our bodies more nutrients and fiber, which keep our gut health in tip top shape and improve our blood sugar, which helps prevent cravings.

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, the source and season is what matters. Support your local farmers market or shop savvy by buying local produce. This will also reduce packaging and transportation costs. Local and seasonal produce is also slightly more nutrient dense (4). 

Proteins

When it comes to plant-based eating, lentils, beans, and chickpeas are perfect protein sources. They also top the Climatarian list because they can naturally improve soil integrity, making it so land can produce more crops (5). When it comes to body benefits, they offer lots of fiber, excellent for our hearts. 

Meat production, particularly beef, requires more land and water, and has higher carbon emissions. If you're not quite ready to let go of meat just yet, then swapping beef for chicken can decrease your carbon footprint.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try some insects! Sometimes described as nutty and crunchy, these bugs add lots of protein and flavor to your dishes without a big impact on the climate. They produce equivalent amounts of protein when compared to livestock yet use considerably less resources. 

Fats

Some fats may be more taxing on the environment, such as almonds, avocados, and processed fats like the ones you find in some packaged or fast food. The most eco-friendly nuts and seeds include hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. On top of their healthy fat helping, they are also rich in vitamins and minerals such as skin strengthening vitamin E and immune boosting zinc.

Climatarian meal plan

Not sure what to eat tonight? Check out this comprehensive Climatarian Diet meal plan we created with recipes found on the Lifesum app. These super easy and delicious recipes will help you cook and shop sustainably! 

All of the content and media on Lifesum is created and published for information purposes only. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Users should always consult with a doctor or other health care professional for medical advice.