Does the world really need another diet? The 70 authors of a 62-page report that came out last year say the world really can’t afford not to go on what they’re calling the Planetary Health Diet.
They argue these dietary guidelines could save 15 million lives a year by preventing diseases like obesity and high cholesterol. These dietary patterns would purportedly also feed 9.6 billion people by 2050 and protect the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions—among other benefits.
The report doubled down on the same plant-based, whole-grained, meat-avoidant diet first set out by this group of scientists, the EAT-Lancet Commission, back in 2019.
In the six years since, I’ve wondered how easy the planetary health diet would be to follow. Would I have time for it? Would I actually enjoy the types of meals we should all be eating in a healthier, more sustainable, and more just world?
For one week—Saturday to the following Sunday—I ate whole grains instead of refined grains, consumed way more vegetables than I normally do, cooked most of my meals at home, and avoided red meat. I’ll walk you through how I planned my meals, what I learned while executing it, and what my takeaways were, in case you want to try it too.
